[Driving ability under opioids: current assessment of published studies].
Opioids are more frequently used in the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain. The aim is not only to reduce pain intensity, but also the patients' reintegration into their social environment, including the possibility of driving their own car. Various studies have investigated the impact of opioids on driving ability. Two studies showed that a group of patients with chronic pain receiving sustained treatment with transdermal fentanyl or buprenorphine performed significantly better in tests than healthy persons with legally relevant 0,05% concentration of blood alcohol. These results indicate that stable opioid treatment does not necessarily impair driving ability of patients in chronic pain. However, so far published studies do not provide clear evidence for saying that persons on sustained opioid treatment can drive a car without any problem. Nor do they indicate that such persons should not drive.
Universitäts Schmerz Centrum, Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden. rainer.sabatowski@uniklinikum-dresden.de
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D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards*; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010098:Oxycodone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D011930:Reaction Time
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D002047:Buprenorphine; D010098:Oxycodone; D005283:Fentanyl