Australian doctors failing to warn opioid patients about driving risks

Research conducted by Dr. John Gillett, a palliative care doctor and Queensland University of Technology PhD researcher, indicates that doctors and pharmacists are failing to warn patients about the risks of driving while using opioids.

While nearly 3 million Australians are prescribed opioids annually, many patients remain unaware that strong painkillers like morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl can cause heavy drowsiness and fatigue. This lack of communication regarding cognitive impairment can lead to dangerous situations for patients attempting to perform daily tasks, such as driving children to school.

Cancer survivor Suellen Kirkegaard shared her experience, noting that while she understood the addictive nature of her medication, she was never informed about the potential impact on her ability to operate a vehicle until meeting Dr. Gillett.