Engeland A, Skurtveit S, Mørland J.
Norwegian Institute of Public Health, University of Bergen, Norway. anders.engeland@isf.uib.no
The risk was markedly increased in users of natural opium alkaloids (2.0; 1.7-2.4), benzodiazepine tranquillizers (2.9; 2.5-3.5), and benzodiazepine hypnotics (3.3; 2.1-4.7). Somewhat increased or unchanged SIRs were found for nonsteroidal antiiflammatory drugs (1.5; 1.3-1.9), selective beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists (i.e., antiasthmatics, 1.5; 1.0-2.1), calcium receptor antagonists (0.9; 0.5-1.5), and penicillin (1.1; 0.8-1.5). CONCLUSIONS: The increased risk of being involved in a road accident as driver while receiving prescribed opiates and benzodiazepines supported the results from other studies.
1: Ann Epidemiol. 2007 Aug;17(8):597-602. Epub 2007 Jun 18.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17574863
PMID: 17574863 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Beta blockers as psychotropic drugs
Encephale. 1976;2(1):85-101.
CNS-related (side-)effects of beta-blockers with special reference to mechanisms of action
beta-Adrenoreceptor antagonists are liable to produce behavioural side-effects such as drowsiness, fatigue, lethargy, sleep disorders, nightmares, depressive moods, and hallucinations. These undesirable actions indicate that beta-blockers affect not only peripheral autonomic activity but also some central nervous mechanisms. In experimental animals beta-blockers have been found to reduce spontaneous motor activity, to counteract isolation-, lesion-, stimulation- and amphetamine-induced hyperactivity, and to produce slow-wave and paradoxical sleep disturbances. Furthermore, central effects such as tranquilizing influences are used for the treatment of conditions such as anxiety.
Peripherally mediated actions whereby beta-blockers induce changes in the autonomic activity in the periphery, which are relayed to the CNS to induce changes in activity of a variety of central systems.
1: Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1985;28 Suppl:55-63
PMID: 2865151 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]