Following reports that Tiger Woods was carrying two hydrocodone pills – which are commonly prescribed for pain – when he was interviewed at the scene of a car accident last week, the following are the categories of drugs published by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which can cause impairment when taken while driving.
According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Golf was charged with driving under the influence after a crash on Friday. Court records show Woods has pleaded not guilty.
Why some drugs affect driving
According to the FDA, while most medications do not affect the ability to drive, a wide range of commonly used prescription and over-the-counter drugs can interfere with alertness, coordination, and reaction time – increasing the risk of an accident and, in some cases, incapacitation or seizure before or while driving.
The FDA warns that some drugs can cause side effects such as drowsiness, blurred vision, dizziness, slow or uncoordinated movement, fainting, nausea, anxiety, or trouble concentrating—effects that can make driving unsafe. In some cases, these effects occur shortly after the dose; In others, the weakness can last for several hours or even the next day.
Importantly, side effects are not limited to prescription drugs. Many over-the-counter cold, allergy, and sleep medications contain ingredients that can affect your ability to drive, especially if they are combined with other medications or alcohol, the FDA warns.
Medications that may cause dangerous driving or impairment
The FDA recognizes several categories of prescription drugs that may make driving dangerous. Some of these include:
- Opioid pain relievers — such as those containing codeine or hydrocodone — can cause drowsiness and slow reaction times.
- Prescription drugs used to treat anxiety, including benzodiazepines, are also known for their sedative effects.
- sleeping pills; muscle relaxants; antipsychotic medications, and anticonvulsant medications, all of which may decrease alertness or coordination.
- Some antidepressants are also listed, especially in the early stages of treatment or after a change in dosage.
Some over-the-counter products that can pose a risk include some antihistamines commonly found in allergy and cold treatments, nighttime sleep aids, motion sickness medications, and cough syrups that can cause drowsiness or slow cognitive function.
The FDA also warns that taking certain stimulants — including diet pills, “stay awake” drugs, and drugs containing caffeine, ephedrine, or pseudoephedrine — can unexpectedly affect concentration and coordination.
Cannabis-derived products and next-day effects
The FDA further warns that products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including cannabidiol, may cause drowsiness and altered alertness, even when the user does not feel completely intoxicated.
Sleep medications present an additional risk. Some medications prescribed for insomnia can prevent you from driving the next morning, especially if high doses are taken or when they are combined with other painkillers.
Legal consequences and safety advice
While driving laws vary by state, the FDA notes that driving while impaired by drugs — prescription or over-the-counter — has the same legal consequences as driving under the influence of alcohol.
Drivers should read warning labels carefully, avoid mixing medications without medical advice, and talk to a doctor or pharmacist before driving.
“Knowing whether your medications—or any combination of them—affects your ability to drive is an important safety measure,” the FDA says, advising patients to seek professional guidance if they are concerned that their medications may affect their ability to drive.
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