Can medicines taken to treat a cold impair your ability to drive safely?

Correct answer

Yes, because they can cause drowsiness.

Medicines used to treat a cold can impair the ability to drive safely, particularly because of the drowsiness that antihistamines used to relieve symptoms can cause. Cold symptoms, such as fatigue and headaches, can also affect a driver's ability to judge distances and maintain concentration in traffic. It is therefore important to bear these side effects in mind when taking cold medicines and to avoid driving if you experience drowsiness or other effects that could compromise road safety.