Impact of Sedating Antihistamines on Safety and Productivity

• Published in: Allergy and asthma proceedings Vol. 22; no. 5; pp. 281 - 283
• Main Authors: Kay, Gary G., Quig, Mary Elizabeth
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States OceanSide Publications, Inc 01.09.2001; OceanSide Publications
• Subjects: Efficiency - drug effects; Histamine H1 Antagonists - adverse effects; Histamine H1 Antagonists - therapeutic use; Humans; Hypersensitivity - drug therapy; Sleep Stages - drug effects
• ISSN: 1088-5412; 1539-6304

The use of sedating antihistamines by allergy sufferers remains common, and physicians continue to prescribe these older antihistamines with great frequency. Precautionary statements warning of possible drowsiness and the need for caution when driving or operating machinery, which are required for sedating antihistamines, don't appear to be having much impact. Sedating antihistamines are frequently found to be a causal factor in fatal traffic accidents and are the leading medication found on autopsy of pilots who have crashed their aircraft. Patients taking sedating antihistamines frequently don't feel sleepy, yet they have difficulty staying awake and their brain functioning is impaired. The impact on safety is found in the increased risk of traumatic work-related injuries, driving accidents, and aviation fatalities. The cognitive and psychomotor deficits translate into losses in worker productivity and student learning.