Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Driving Under the Influence: How Music Listening Affects Driving Behaviors
Published on: March 27, 2019
Second-generation antihistamines exhibit a protective effect on drivers in traffic-a preliminary population-based
Antti Perttula1, Janne Pitkäniemi, Olli-Pekka Heinonen
1a Division of Forensic Toxicology, Hjelt-Institute , University of Helsinki, University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland.
Introduction:
Although there have been experimental studies concerning driving and drugs, studies on the risk of antihistamines are not numerous. This is the first population-based epidemiological study concerning the association of sedating/nonsedating antihistamines and fatal traffic accidents.
Methods:
Car drivers (n = 428) who died in accidents before reaching the hospital and controls (n = 688) matched for accident area and driving season were studied for antihistamines in blood. At the time of the fatal road traffic accident, 6 drivers had a detectable amount of sedating antihistamines in blood, and the corresponding number for controls was 4; nonsedating antihistamines in blood were detected in 12 accident cases and 28 controls. The fatal accidents occurred between 1998 and 2002 and the information on the controls was collected between 2000 and 2002 in Finland.
Results:
Regarding fatal traffic accident causality, the nonsedating antihistamines proved to have a protective effect after adjusting for age and gender (relative risk = 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20 to 0.82; P =.01). The risk of fatal traffic accident of those driving under the influence of sedating antihistamines was 1.61 (0.38 to 6.77, P =.51) times the risk of those without medication.
Discussion:
This preliminary study supports the protective effect of second-generation antihistamines with respect to fatal traffic accidents. Due to the small sample size the results are not conclusive.
More Related Videos
03:40Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Allergic Rhinitis
Published on: December 20, 2024
11:12Driving Simulation in the Clinic: Testing Visual Exploratory Behavior in Daily Life Activities in Patients with Visual Field Defects
Published on: September 18, 2012
Related Concept Videos
Upper Respiratory Drugs: First and Second-Generation Antihistamines
Histamine binds to specific receptor sites, known as H1 receptors, on tissue cells, triggering inflammation and swelling. Antihistamines combat these effects by competing with histamine for these receptor sites. By...
Cholinergic Antagonists: Pharmacokinetics
Cholinergic Antagonists: Therapeutic Uses
Respiratory Tract: Ipratropium, aclidinium, and tiotropium treat asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They protect against bronchoconstriction caused by irritants like cigarette smoke, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. They also help reduce nasopharyngeal...
Cholinergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions
Gastrointestinal Effects: Antimuscarinics reduce gut contractions, increase gastric emptying, and slow intestinal transit. They partly inhibit gastric acid secretion...
Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone
Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions