Anti-Anxiety Medications and DUID Charges in Colorado
Colorado has strict intoxicated driving laws, and motorists can face charges for driving while ability impaired (DWAI) when they have a blood alcohol content of between 0.05 percent but less than 0.08 percent, and driving under the influence (DUI) charges for BACs of 0.08 percent and higher. The Colorado Code also prohibits driving under the influence of drugs or intoxicating substances, which includes a wide range of lawful prescription medications. These charges are generally known as DUI-D charges, meaning DUI for drugs.
It might come as a surprise to many Colorado residents, but a driver may face DUI-D charges for driving under the influence of an anti-anxiety medication that they have been prescribed lawfully and by a health care provider. Not all anti-anxiety medications are likely to lead to a DUI-D arrest, but some are much more likely than others. Our Denver DUI defense lawyers can explain in more detail.
Anti-Anxiety and Anti-Depressant Medications That Can Affect Driving Ability
Benzodiazepines, which are often prescribed to treat panic disorder and to temporarily relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression, can be extremely dangerous to use while driving. One of the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines, alprazolam (often known by the brand name Xanax), can be especially hazardous, according to the Mayo Clinic. The drug slows down the central nervous system and can impact a person’s ability to drive safely.
The National Library of Medicine also identifies anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications that fall into the category of “tricyclic anti-depressants” as particularly hazardous for driving. These include amitriptyline, desipramine (known as Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline (known as Pamelor), and pertryline. Their effects become more hazardous when they are combined with alcohol, as do those of benzodiazepines.
Individual Factors and Medication Effects
Some anti-anxiety medications and anti-depressants may not, on their own, impact a person’s ability to drive safely. However, when they are combined with other prescription medications, are used by individuals with certain underlying conditions, or are combined with alcohol (even very small amounts), certain anti-anxiety and anti-depressant drugs can be impairing.
According to the National Library of Medicine, non-TCAs are less likely to result in a driver being impaired. However, if a driver combines a non-TCA anti-depressant with even a limited amount of alcohol or another substance, the results can be dangerous. Advanced age, combined with use of certain anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications, can also pose hazards.
Contact Our Denver DUI Defense Attorneys
Were you pulled over for intoxicated driving while you were using a certain type of anti-anxiety medication? It may seem unbelievable to you that you could be facing DUI-D charges for using a prescription medication that has been provided by your doctor, yet Colorado law does allow for DUI-D charges even when the drug you are using is a lawful prescription medication. Yet just because you have been arrested and are facing charges does not mean that you will be convicted. An experienced Denver DUI defense lawyer at DeChant Law can begin working with you on your defense today. Contact us to learn more about defense options in DUI-D cases and how we can help you to beat these charges.
Sources:
law.justia.com/codes/colorado/2022/title-42/article-4/part-13/section-42-4-1301/
fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/some-medicines-and-driving-dont-mix
mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/alprazolam-oral-route/description/drg-20061040
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2766284/
