Am I Eligible To Drive When Diagnosed With Parkinson's Disease?

Posted on Tue, 13 Dec 2016

Question: I have parkinsons and have to re-apply for my driving license and am trying to find out if my medication is below the allowed level. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please provide the doses and any possible adverse effects.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

If your licence was refused on medication grounds, it was probably due to potential side effects of the drugs and interactions.

It is necessary to provide more information if you experienced any possible adverse effects, the current stage of Parkinson's and current symptoms, doses of gabapentin, sinemet and naproxen.

If you didn't experienced any adverse effects and Parkinson's symptoms are well controlled, driving licence should be not refused.

So, evaluation about driving abilities is complex and should not include only drugs you use.

However, the decision, after re-applying for the driving licence, should be taken not only based on drugs doses, but medical opinion by your treating Doctor is necessary, together with testing your driving abilities by DVLA.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if i can assist you further.

Kind regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (5 hours later)

Thank you doctor.
Dosages as follows-
Ralnea XL Ropinirole = 14mg.
Sinemet 12.5mg/50mg one taken 3 times.
Omeprazole 20mg caps, 1 per day (Arthritis)
Naproxen ec 500mg, 2 per day. (Ditto)
Pregabalin 50mg, 2 caps per day. ( nerve pains following spinal surgery )

I have now stopped Pregabalin.

I consider myself to be a very careful driver and at no time did I believe my standard of driving had deteriorated when taking the Pregabalin, in fact I was not aware of the interaction of ropinirole to Pregabalin.

Thank you for your help
XXXXXXX XXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Medical opinion matters.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back and thanks for the additional information.

Ralnea XL use in some patients may cause issues regarding the driving because of the possible side effects of somnolence and sudden episodes of sleeping.

Sleepiness may be induced also by sinemet use.

If you experienced somnolence or sudden sleeping, dosage should be lowered.

Pregabalin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or light-headedness.

These side effects also may affect the driving abilities.

Interactions between these drugs also may increase possible side effects of each other.

In conclusion, drugs you use may affect your driving abilities due to their side effects, but this is just a possibility.

If you didn't experienced any of these side effects, or if problems with driving arose after pregabalin use, stopping pregabalin is necessary before re-applying for the driving license.

It is necessary to report any issues regarding to sleepiness, and it is also of paramount value to be evaluated by a Neurologist before deciding to retain your driving license or not.

Your Doctor's opinion is very important in determining if you are eligible or not to drive.

Hope I helped you.

Kind regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee