Impaired driving isn’t necessarily happening because of drinking alcohol. Some prescription drugs can lead to DUI charges. Taking drugs that have a warning not to drive because they can make you sleepy, or slow down your reactions, can be a reason good enough to end up arrested. If this has happened to you, it’s time to seek legal help from an Oregon DUI attorney as soon as possible.
What Drugs Can Bring You DUI Charges?
The following prescription drugs commonly lead to DUI charges:
- Xanax
- Adderall
- Ambien
- Vicodin
- Clarinex
Any of these drugs can cause you to be under the influence and none of them can cause any alcohol to enter the bloodstream. However, these drugs can lead to DUI charges if they impair your ability to drive.
Adderall
This drug can lead to DUI because it alters how you feel fatigued. Adderall is a mix of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine that work to keep you focused and attentive. This drug is used to treat ADHD and other attention disorders. Similar drugs to Adderall are Focalin, Adzenys, Vyvanse, and Ritalin. They’re stimulating the central nervous system and that stimulation will start to fade after six or so hours. This can leave you tired which can impair your driving.
Xanax
If you took Xanax and get pulled over you could easily get arrested for DUI since this drug makes you feel and appear sedated. This is an anti-anxiety medication that uses a drug called benzodiazepines. It works by depressing the central nervous system which makes you feel calm and relaxed. Xanax is used as a short-term treatment for insomnia and anxiety.
Similar drugs are Valium, Ativan, Doral, and Librium. Driving under the influence of Xanax can make you feel too calm and may impair your ability to drive your vehicle safely. You might be too sedated to notice dangerous situations on the road and react fast.
Ambien
This drug can lead to a drugged driving charge; Ambien is a sleeping pill that causes drowsiness. It’s a drug that is part of the benzodiazepine family and works by slowing the brain and nervous system activity. Ambien is used to treat insomnia and sleeping problems. Similar drugs are Lunesta and Sonata.
Sleeping pills like Ambien can have after-effects on you even after you wake up (hungover, drowsiness, lethargy). Ambien DUI can occur right after taking the pill and you begin feeling sleepy or the morning after taking the pill and still feel drowsy.
In either case, this sleepiness that was induced by the drug can impair your ability to drive, which can easily lead to a DUI.
Vicodin
Vicodin is a painkiller and it’s illegal to drive under the influence of it (or other strong painkillers). This drug uses hydrocodone and an opioid; it works by blocking pain signals and receptors in the brain and spinal cord. Similar drugs are Percocen, Roxipirin, and Oxycodone. This painkiller can leave you with various symptoms such as lightheadedness, drowsiness, and dizziness and all of these can impair your ability to drive.
Clarinex
If you took Clarinex before driving, you can easily end with a DUI charge. This is an allergy medication that is a very strong antihistamine. It counteracts the chemical histamine, which triggers allergy symptoms. Similar drugs are Claritin, Benadryl, and Allegra. Antihistamines have several significant side effects but the strongest one is drowsiness.
If you took Clarinex and sat behind the wheel, you may suddenly feel tired and drowsy. This will affect your attentiveness and can impair your ability to drive and react fast.
Can You Get a DUI Charge Without BAC?
Your BAC can show 0.00% of alcohol, and you can still face a DUI charge. The police will have to prove that you were impaired. They will interview you, note signs of impairment, take your vital signs and detect the presence of drugs in your bloodstream.
All states forbid two types of DUIs:
- Per se DUI (BAC above the legal limit)
- Driving under the influence of a drug
If you were arrested after driving under the influence of drugs (no matter if you have caused an accident or not) it’s important to get a DUI attorney. This type of legal assistance is crucial for your case since your chances to win your case by yourself are very low.
Our team at Trilogy Law Group is here to review your case and guide you into the process. Call our office and schedule your first consultation; we offer you a free case review.
