Effects of two antihistamine drugs on actual driving performance

Abstract

A double blind placebo controlled experiment was conducted measuring the effects of the centrally active antihistamine tripolidine and the peripherally acting antihistamine terfenadine on actual driving performance in a group of experienced women drivers. Tripolidine greatly impaired driving behaviour, whereas terfenadine did not. Tripolidine also impaired subjective and objective measures of mood and arousal, and despite an awareness that their driving was impaired while they were taking this agent subjects could not correct their performance. This study suggests that drivers who need antihistamine drugs should avoid those that act centrally.