A new warning issued by the Food and Drug Administration should have you thinking twice if you’re planning on using medication to stave off your allergies this summer shortly before driving. According to the FDA statement, taking allergy meds could drastically reduce your ability to safely drive a vehicle. This is because most allergy medications contain antihistamines, which carry side effects such as delayed reaction time and sleepiness.

It’s estimated that around 1,550 deaths occur each year due to fatigue, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration admits that the actual number may be much higher. If you plan on taking allergy medication this summer, and especially if you’re trying a different medication than you’ve used before, you’d be wise take your first dosage on a day you know you won’t be driving so you can test the effects.

Check the Label for Ingredients, Side Effects

The FDA is recommending that consumers carefully check the label on any allergy medications they may take if they plan on driving after taking them. If “drowsiness” is listed as a potential side effect, it’s important to be cautious before getting behind the wheel of any motorized vehicle. In addition, the FDA is warning consumers that they should never combine allergy medications with tranquilizers, sleep medications or alcohol, as doing so may compound the side effects of antihistamines.

Switching to a New Allergy Medication?

If you’ve decided to try a different allergy medication this season than you normally use, talk to your doctor. It’s very possible that the milligram dosage of your new medication will be different from your old one, according to the FDA. Maintaining the same milligram dosage may cause you to take a larger dosage than you’re expecting, increasing the drowsiness.

It’s also a good idea to speak with your doctor if your allergy medication isn’t working the way you expect it to. Increasing your dosage isn’t the answer, since this will further increase drowsiness without necessarily treating your allergies. Instead, tell your doctor about what you’re experiencing and ask for a script for a different allergy med.

Finally, the FDA says it’s important to be aware of how long you’ll need to take your allergy medication before you feel its effects. Most allergy medications don’t provide instant relief. Some take as long as weeks for their effects to fully “kick in.”

The Bottom Line

The FDA has issued a new consumer update warning that allergy medications may inhibit your ability to drive a motor vehicle. It’s important to carefully read the label on your allergy medication, paying particular attention to dosage instructions, side effects, and whether the medicine includes an antihistamine, before getting behind the wheel.

The FDA consumer update can be found here.