You take your tablets every morning. You have done it for years. Then a dose changes, or a new one is added, and the drive to the shops feels a little different.

Most medicines do not stop anyone driving, but some certainly can. This article explains what Queensland says, what to watch for, who to ask, and where an occupational therapist (OT) fits.

What does Queensland say about medicines and driving?

Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is plain about it. Its page on medicines that affect driving says: “Some medicines can reduce your ability to drive safely.”

That includes medicines your doctor prescribes and some you buy over the counter. TMR gives cold and flu tablets as one example. Medicines can affect alertness, concentration, mood, coordination and reaction times.

TMR lists several kinds of prescribed medicine worth asking about: painkillers, anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medicines, allergy and cough and cold medicines, diabetes medicines, blood pressure medicines and sleeping pills. That is a list of questions to ask, not a list of medicines you cannot take.

Who decides if my medicine is safe to drive on?

Your doctor and your pharmacist. We do not advise on medicines, and we do not tell anyone to start, stop or change one.

TMR suggests asking them three things:

• Could any of my medicines make my driving less safe?

• How do my medicines interact with each other?

• Will they affect my driving?

Tell them about everything you take, including over-the-counter products and anything from a different doctor. TMR notes that “different drugs can interact with each other”, so the full list matters.

What should I watch for?

Pay the most attention when you start a medicine or your dose changes. TMR says to watch for effects at those times.

It also says not to drive if you have any of these:

• Blurred or double vision.

• Drowsiness.

• Dizziness or light-headedness.

• Nausea.

• Shakiness.

• Feeling aggressive.

Read the label too. If a medicine carries a warning about driving, follow it.

Family often notice before you do. If someone close to you says you seem slower, vaguer or sleepier since a change, take that seriously and tell your doctor.

What about conditions that come with the medicines?

Often the condition and the medicine arrive together. Diabetes is a good example. Some people need medicine for it, and the condition itself can affect driving. We cover that in Can You Drive with Diabetes in Queensland?.

Medicines for pain or sleep can make tiredness worse. If tiredness is the main issue, read Sleep Apnoea and Driving in Queensland, and ask your doctor about sleep.

Medicinal cannabis has its own rules, and they change. Check TMR’s current page and ask whoever prescribes it before you drive.

Do I have to tell Transport and Main Roads about a medicine?

The duty to report in Queensland is about a permanent or long-term medical condition that is likely to affect your driving. Your doctor completes a Medical Certificate for Drivers if that applies. We explain how in Reporting a Medical Condition to Queensland Transport.

A medicine on its own is a question for your doctor. If your doctor thinks a medicine affects your fitness to drive, they will tell you what to do next.

Where does an OT driving assessment fit?

An OT assessment does not test your medicines. It shows how you function and drive.

A doctor may suggest one when they want to see how you manage on the road, for example when you take several medicines, your condition has changed, or you or your family are unsure. We assess your vision, thinking skills and physical function at your home, then you drive about an hour in a driving instructor’s car, fitted with dual controls. We sit in the back and observe. What to Expect on the Day walks through it.

Do not stop or change your medicines for an assessment. Take them as your doctor has prescribed. We want to see how you drive on your normal routine, because that is what the road sees.

If we see a pattern, such as slow reactions or lapses in attention, we describe it plainly in our report. The report goes to your doctor. Your doctor can then look at what may be behind it, including your medicines. How Do Cognitive Skills Affect Driving? explains the skills we look at.

When you may not need an assessment

Most people on regular medicines do not need an OT assessment. A conversation with your pharmacist or doctor is the first step, and often the only one.

An assessment is worth considering if your doctor has suggested one, if you have had a near miss since a change, or if your family has noticed your driving change and you are not sure why. Our post on how to know when it is time to get your driving checked lists the signs.

Ready to book an OT driving assessment on the Gold Coast? Steer Driving is a mobile assessment service covering the Gold Coast and surrounding areas. Whether you already have a referral or you’re just getting started, get in touch and we’ll guide you through the next steps.

This article was written by Elise, an AHPRA-registered Occupational Therapist and driver assessor. Elise is the founder of Steer Driving, a mobile OT driving assessment practice.