Effects of Terfenadine on Actual Driving Performance

Abstract

The effect of terfenadine on actual car driving performance was investigated in ten healthy male subjects by a double-blind, cross-over comparison with d-chlorpheniramine and placebo, using the onset and degree of sleepiness during driving.
Six out of ten subjects receiving d-chlorpheniramine could not complete 150 minutes of continuous driving, and the percentage of alpha waves in the electroencephalogram was higher than in those receiving terfenadine or placebo. These findings indicate that in subjects receiving d-chlorpheniramine a risk of falling asleep while driving.
In the case of terfenadine, on the other hand, the extent of sleepiness during driving was no different from placebo, and it was concluded that terfenadine has no detectable depressant effect on the central nervous system during car driving.