Medicines: Reducing Risks Associated with Long Work Hours
Medicines
Some medicines and chronic diseases increase work time sleepiness or create difficulties with getting good-quality sleep. This will put you at higher risk for causing a fatigue-related injury or error.
If you are overly sleepy or fatigued during work, consider your medications. Sometimes a healthcare provider can make an adjustment to reduce the sleepiness side effect. Sleepiness can occur with many commonly used medications, such as
- Some antihistamines
- Some prescription and over-the-counter medications used to treat insomnia
- Benzodiazepines (a type of tranquilizer)
- Narcotic pain medications
- Some antidepressants