title: The use and safety of medications known to affect driving in Jordan: A cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to estimate the main driving-impairing medications used by drivers in Jordan, the reported frequency of medication side effects, the frequency of motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) while using driving-impairing medicines, as well as factors associated with MVCs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study involving 1,049 individuals (age 18-75 years) who are actively driving vehicles and taking at least one medication known to affect driving (anxiolytics, antidepressants, hypnotics, antiepileptics, opioids, sedating antihistamines, hypoglycemic agents, antihypertensives, central nervous system [CNS] stimulants, and herbals with CNS-related effects) was conducted in Amman, Jordan, over a period of 8 months (September 2013-May 2014) using a structured validated questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-three percent of participants noticed a link between a medicine taken and feeling sleepy and 57% stated that they experience at least one adverse effect other than sleepiness from their medication. About 22% of the participants reported having a MVC while on medication. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that among the participants who reported having a crash while taking a driving-impairing medication, the odds ratios were significantly higher for the use of inhalant substance (odds ratio [OR] = 2.787, P = .014), having chronic conditions (OR = 1.869, P = .001), and use of antiepileptic medications (OR = 2.348, P = .008) and significantly lower for the use of antihypertensives (OR = 0.533, P = .008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study results show high prevalence of adverse effects of medications with potential for driving impairment, including involvement in MVCs. Our findings highlight the types of patient-related and medication-related factors associated with MVCs in Jordan, such as inhalant use, presence of chronic conditions, and use of antiepileptics.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy , Faculty of Pharmacy, the University of Jordan , Amman , Jordan.
authors.forename: Eman
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Elayeh
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy , Faculty of Pharmacy, the University of Jordan , Amman , Jordan.
authors.forename: Nailya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bulatova
authors.affiliation: b Department of Clinical Pharmacy , Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science University , Amman , Jordan.
authors.forename: Iman
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Basheti
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy , Faculty of Pharmacy, the University of Jordan , Amman , Jordan.
authors.forename: Rana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abu Farha
authors.affiliation: c Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University , Amman , Jordan.
authors.forename: Naseer
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al-Rawi
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy , Faculty of Pharmacy, the University of Jordan , Amman , Jordan.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abu Snaineh
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy , Faculty of Pharmacy, the University of Jordan , Amman , Jordan.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alahwal
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000066448:Driving Under the Influence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012449:Safety; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Jordan; driving; medications; motor vehicle crashes; traffic safety