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Sleep Drug Impairs Driving, Study Warns
4 Jun
Summary
- Antipsychotic medication reduced sleep apnea events but impaired driving.
- Participants showed triple attention lapses and swerved lanes in testing.
- Many users may not recognize their own impairment after medication.
A randomized controlled trial in Australia has revealed that quetiapine, a widely prescribed antipsychotic often used for sleep problems, can lead to significant next-day driving impairment. The study, involving 15 adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), observed that while quetiapine increased total sleep time and reduced apnea-related events, it also markedly slowed reaction times.
Participants taking quetiapine showed more than triple the number of attention lapses and increased lane deviations in driving simulator tests. Furthermore, a concerning portion of participants did not recognize their impaired state, posing a risk to themselves and others. Other reported side effects included nausea and a drop in blood pressure upon standing.
Researchers recommend avoiding driving or critical tasks for at least 9.5 hours after taking quetiapine. Experts not involved in the study highlighted the need for larger, longer-term research, considering potential sex differences in drug metabolism and the vulnerability of older adults to cognitive side effects. Behavioral interventions remain key for long-term insomnia management.
