Are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors Safe for Drivers? What is the Evidence?

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• 作者：Silvia Ravera ; PharmD ; PhD¹ ; ^{s.ravera@rug.nl} ; Johannes G. Ramaekers ; PhD² ; Lolkje T.W. de Jong-van den Berg ; PharmD ; PhD³ ; Johan J. de Gier ; PharmD ; PhD¹
• 关键词：adverse effect ; automobile driving ; experimental research ; pharmacoepidemiologic studies ; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ; traffic accident
• 刊名：Clinical Therapeutics
• 出版年：2012
• 期刊代码：65_01492918
• 类别：med
• 出版时间：May, 2012
• 卷：34
• 期：5
• 页码：1070-1083
• 文件大小：438 K

摘要

Background

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used medications to treat several psychiatric diseases and, above all, depression. They seem to be as effective as older antidepressants but have a different adverse effect profile. Despite their favorable safety profile, little is known about their influence on traffic safety.

Objective

To conduct a literature review to summarize the current evidence on the role of SSRIs in traffic safety, particularly concerning undesirable effects that could potentially impair fitness to drive, experimental and pharmacoepidemiologic studies on driving impairment, 2 existing categorization systems for driving-impairing medications, and the European legislative procedures for assessing fitness to drive before issuing a driver's license and driving under the influence of medicines.

Methods

The article search was performed in the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, and SafetyLit. The English-language scientific literature was searched using key words such as SSRIs and psychomotor performance, car crash or traffic accident, and adverse effects. For inclusion in this review, papers had to be full-text articles, refer to possible driving-related adverse effects, and be experimental or pharmacoepidemiologic studies on SSRIs and traffic accident risks. No restrictions concerning publication year were applied.

Results

Ten articles were selected as background information on driving-related adverse effects, and 15 articles were selected regarding experimental and pharmacoepidemiologic work. Regarding SSRI adverse effects, the most reported undesirable effects referring to driving impairment were anxiety, agitation, sleep disturbances, headache, increased risk of suicidal behavior, and deliberate self-harm. Regarding the remaining issues addressed in this article, inconsistencies were found between the outcomes of the selected experimental and epidemiologic studies and between the 2 existing categorization systems under evaluation. Some pitfalls of the current legislative scenario were identified as well.

Conclusions

Based on the current evidence, it was concluded that more experimental and epidemiologic research is needed to elucidate the relationship between SSRI use and traffic safety. Furthermore, a revision of the existing categorization systems and harmonized European legislation in the field of medication use and driving were highly recommended.