Workshop: Psychotropic Drugs and Driver Impairment

Atypical neuroleptics like amisulpride and quetiapine as well as newer selective antidepressants have an advantage on driving related psychomotor skills.

Cognitive and psychomotor impairments are common features of patients suffering from depression, schizophrenia and substance abuse disorders implying important influence on functional outcome. Driving is a daily activity for most people in developed countries ranking highest on personal und social estimation. Beside data on volunteers studies with patients have been undertaken in the last years containing high relevance for optimal treatment and rehabilitation. In this workshop results will be presented regarding benzodiazepines, antidepressants and neuroleptics/anti-psychotics as well as drugs like cannabis examining their influence to car driving abilities under routine treatment conditions in particular. The data show that even under steady state pharmacological conditions psychomotor functions must be considered as impaired in many cases. Therefore, doctors should focus their attention on this issue and intend neuropsychological testing in case of doubt.

References: Brunnauer A, Laux G, Geiger E, Möller HJ. The impact of antipsychotics on psychomotor performance with regard to car driving skills. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2004; 24:1-6. Brunnauer A, Laux G. Antidepressants and driving ability. Psychiat Prax 2003; 30 (suppl 2):102-105.