Effects of psychotropics on automobile driving in geriatric medicine

Kunihiro Iwamoto

Department of Developmental Geriatric Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University

Psychotropics, especially anxiolytics, hypnotics and antidepressants are commonly used drugs for community dwelling older people and prescriptions are increasingly frequent with age. These medicines may improve symptoms but affect cognitive function and psychomotor performance including driving performance. The effects of psychotropics on driving performances have been examined in epidemiological studies and experimental studies. The benzodiazepines are over and over again reported to impair driving performance and clinician should optimize patients' prescription, monitor side effects, and discuss the risk of driving with the patient. Guideline, criteria for judgment and systems of driving under drug treatment are needed in Japan.

Address correspondence to Dr. Kunihiro Iwamoto, Department of Developmental Geriatric Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University (65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan)