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Sleep Aid Quetiapine Impairs Driving
2 Jun
Summary
- Common sleeping pill quetiapine may impair driving performance.
- Study shows next-day alertness significantly reduced by the drug.
- Researchers urge tailored treatments over sedating medications.
A commonly prescribed sleeping pill, quetiapine, has been identified as a potential risk to next-day driving performance. Scientists warn that despite its sedative effects, the drug may impair alertness considerably.
Researchers from Flinders University conducted a clinical trial demonstrating that low-dose quetiapine, often used off-label for insomnia, significantly reduced vigilance and driving simulator performance in participants the following day. This occurred even when participants did not feel overtly sleepy.
The study, involving 15 adults, found that quetiapine improved sleep quality and reduced obstructive sleep apnea severity compared to a placebo. However, objective tests revealed slower reaction times and poorer steering control.
These findings suggest that the benefits of improved sleep duration with quetiapine may be outweighed by its negative impact on next-day functioning. Experts emphasize the need for tailored management of sleep disorders, moving away from one-size-fits-all solutions like sedating medications.
