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Metabolics and biologicals in the workplace.
1Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
Journal of Occupational Medicine. : Official Publication of the Industrial Medical Association
|April 1, 1990
Summary
Many medications can affect job performance, with effects varying by drug type and individual factors. Employee age, diet, and drug interactions influence the extent of performance decrements from pharmaceutical agents.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Pharmacology
- Human Performance
Background:
- Pharmaceutical agents, including antimetabolites, antineoplastics, gout medications, biologicals, hormones, plasma fractions, and antibiotics, can potentially cause job performance decrements.
- The prevalence of employees using these medications varies significantly, from less than 1 in 1000 for antineoplastics to 1 in 10 for certain biologicals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the association between pharmaceutical agent use and potential decrements in job performance.
- To identify factors influencing medication-induced performance changes in the workplace.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on pharmaceutical agents and their effects on cognitive and physical performance.
- Analysis of medication classes and their reported impact on occupational tasks.
Main Results:
- A wide array of pharmaceutical agents are linked to potential job performance decrements.
- The incidence of medication use among employees spans a broad spectrum depending on the drug class.
- Individual variability in drug response, age, diet, and drug interactions are key determinants of performance impact.
Conclusions:
- Medication use is a relevant consideration in occupational health and safety.
- Individualized assessment is crucial to predict and manage potential medication-induced performance decrements.
- Further research into specific drug effects and workplace interventions is warranted.