Drowsiness can be a side effect of most Parkinson’s medications, and has
been noted particularly with the dopamine agonists, pramipexole (Mirapexin) and ropinirole (ReQuip). There have also been
rare cases where people taking these medications have experienced a sudden
onset of sleep at the wheel.
Regulations regarding this issue vary, so it is important that you check
with your country’s regulatory body to confirm what their policy is. In the UK,
for example, the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Authority (DLVA) stated that
they believed the risk of sudden onset of sleep was quite low and taking
Parkinson’s medication should not lead to an automatic cessation of driving.
However, anyone who experiences drowsiness should stop driving until they have
discussed the problem with their doctor. Changing medication can sometimes
help, but not always.
