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Although antihistamines associated with a lower risk for sedation (e.g., fexofenadine) are popular prescription drugs, most allergy sufferers use over-the-counter antihistamines that confer a greater risk for sedation. Some of these drugs are known to cause drowsiness, but little is known about their effect on driving ability. Iowa researchers used a sophisticated simulator to compare the effects of fexofenadine (60 mg), the relatively sedating OTC drug diphenhydramine (50 mg), and alcohol (dosed to achieve a blood concentration of 0.1 percent) among 40 licensed drivers (age, 25 to 44) with rhinitis in a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.
Two and a half hours after taking diphenhydramine, participants were significantl…