Volume 21, Issue 1 (Spring- In Press 2026)
Salmand: Iranian Journal of Ageing 2026, 21(1): 126-139 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Farahbakhsh M, Fakhari A, Aghajani E, khameneh A, Harzand-Jadidi S. Assessing the Prescription Pattern of Driving-impairing Psychotropic Medications for Older Adults in Tabriz in 2022. Salmand: Iranian Journal of Ageing 2026; 21 (1) :126-139
URL: http://salmandj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3006-en.html
URL: http://salmandj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3006-en.html
1- Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
2- Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
3- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
4- Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. ,hrzndsepideh@gmail.com
2- Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
3- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
4- Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. ,
Abstract: (2307 Views)
Objectives The older adult population is increasing both in Iran and worldwide, and consequently, the consumption of various medications has also risen in this age group. Many of these drugs, especially psychiatric medications, have negative effects on the cognitive and motor abilities of older adults and can increase the risk of traffic accidents. This study was conducted to investigate the pattern of prescribing driving- impairing psychotropic medications in the older adults population of Tabriz.
Methods & Materials This descriptive analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province. Data were extracted from prescriptions for the older adults between March 2021 and March 2022, collected from the Social Security Organization. A total of 55,285 prescriptions were included in the study. Psychiatric medications were classified into six general categories, and their impact on driving was assessed using a classification system of driving-impairing medicines. The study variables included the characteristics of the older adults, the type and name of psychiatric medications, and the specialties of the physicians. Data were analyzed using Stata software, version 17.
Results In this study, of the total 55,285 psychiatric prescriptions prescribed for the older adults in Tabriz in 2022, 64.38% were for women and 35.62% for men. The results showed that more than half of the prescribed medications (58.66%) had a moderate effect, 21.85% had a mild effect, and 19.49% had a severe effect on driving. Antidepressants, anxiolytics, and antipsychotics had the highest frequency among drugs with a negative impact on driving. Additionally, gabapentin, nortriptyline, alprazolam, and clonazepam were the five most frequently prescribed drugs for the older adults. A significant correlation was also observed between medications prescribed for driving impairment and gender, age of the elderly, and physician specialty (P<0.001).
Conclusion According to the results, a significant proportion of psychiatric medications prescribed for older adults—especially antidepressants, anti‑anxiety, and antipsychotic drugs—have adverse effects on driving. Significant differences were also observed in medication prescriptions based on gender, age, and the specialties of the prescribing physicians. Raising awareness among older adults, providing continuous training for physicians, and developing standardized drug‑prescription protocols that consider the impact of medications on driving can help reduce risks and improve traffic safety for older adults.
Methods & Materials This descriptive analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province. Data were extracted from prescriptions for the older adults between March 2021 and March 2022, collected from the Social Security Organization. A total of 55,285 prescriptions were included in the study. Psychiatric medications were classified into six general categories, and their impact on driving was assessed using a classification system of driving-impairing medicines. The study variables included the characteristics of the older adults, the type and name of psychiatric medications, and the specialties of the physicians. Data were analyzed using Stata software, version 17.
Results In this study, of the total 55,285 psychiatric prescriptions prescribed for the older adults in Tabriz in 2022, 64.38% were for women and 35.62% for men. The results showed that more than half of the prescribed medications (58.66%) had a moderate effect, 21.85% had a mild effect, and 19.49% had a severe effect on driving. Antidepressants, anxiolytics, and antipsychotics had the highest frequency among drugs with a negative impact on driving. Additionally, gabapentin, nortriptyline, alprazolam, and clonazepam were the five most frequently prescribed drugs for the older adults. A significant correlation was also observed between medications prescribed for driving impairment and gender, age of the elderly, and physician specialty (P<0.001).
Conclusion According to the results, a significant proportion of psychiatric medications prescribed for older adults—especially antidepressants, anti‑anxiety, and antipsychotic drugs—have adverse effects on driving. Significant differences were also observed in medication prescriptions based on gender, age, and the specialties of the prescribing physicians. Raising awareness among older adults, providing continuous training for physicians, and developing standardized drug‑prescription protocols that consider the impact of medications on driving can help reduce risks and improve traffic safety for older adults.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
gerontology
Received: 2025/01/21 | Accepted: 2025/03/03 | Published: 2026/04/01
Received: 2025/01/21 | Accepted: 2025/03/03 | Published: 2026/04/01
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
Copyright © The Author(s);
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-By-NC), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
Contact Information
