Opioid medication and driving ability

Abstract

In many European countries the use of opioids for long-term treatment of nonmalignant pain has dramatically increased during the last decade in order to improve the patient's quality of life, to allow an active social life and the return to work. In modern society, driving is regarded as an essential activity of daily living. Since opioids are centrally acting drugs that may interfere with the ability of safely driving a motor vehicle, the question arises of whether or not and on which conditions patients under continuous opioid medication may be considered fit to drive. In this article the evidence from recent studies of opioid effects on driving ability of patients is reviewed. Based on these data, the prerequisites and restrictions for driving under chronic opioid medication are outlined and practical guidelines are proposed.

The effect of shoulder immobilization on driving performance

“…5 In actual clinical situations, patients requiring use of a shoulder immobilizer may also be using analgesics, which can adversely affect driving performance. 10,16,32 This variable was not included in our study but will be assessed in planned studies of patients who recently underwent shoulder surgery.…”

Opióides e a cognição de doentes com dor crônica: revisão sistemática

“…Para alguns autores o uso de opióides por doentes com dor crônica parece ser seguro do ponto de vista cognitivo 5 e não impossibilitar a condução de veículos motorizados 28 . No entanto, há preocupações sobre a generalização da informação que opióide não interfere na função cognitiva de doentes com dor crônica, visto que um único caso de disfunção cognitiva pode ocasionar acidentes sérios 25 .…”

Opioids in the management of persistent non-cancer pain

“…Stable opioid treatment probably does not adversely affect driving skills. 10 However, the healthcare team should remind patients about their social responsibilities and that the patient must not drive whilst impaired. If there is any doubt, then the patient should deal with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, which is the final arbiter.…”