Riders of all ages can need medications of one type or another from time to time.  Some conditions, such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and many more, can require a person to use one or more medications on an ongoing basis. Sometimes, a non-prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) medication such as a cough syrup may be a part of the mix. 

Note: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or healthcare provider before making any changes to medications or riding plans. Ultimate Motorcycling and author Gary Ilminen, RN, assume no liability for any actions taken based on this information.

Most of the time, there won’t be serious problems with a person’s prescription medications for existing medically managed conditions. If you have ongoing medical management for chronic conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you are probably aware of your body’s response to the medications you take.

That said, even in that situation, there are things to keep in mind and talk to your doctor about as you get ready to ride, for example:

• If the dosage or timing of a current medication is changed, there may be an increased risk for side effects. For example, increasing the dosage of a medication for high blood pressure could cause episodes of dizziness. This reaction is usually temporary, lasting until your body gets acclimated to the new dose. Ask your doctor about whether or not you should ride for a period of time until your body’s response to the dosage change is known.

• If a new medication is added to a current medication or to replace a current medication, get to know the potential side effects. New medications can affect your ability to ride safely (e.g., causing dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, or visual changes). Check with your doctor about any potential interactions between a new medication and existing medications you take, including any non-prescription or OTC preparations or supplements that may not be on the medication list your doctor is aware of. Supplements or non-prescription medicines can also interact with prescription medications.

• Remember to take prescription medications as ordered by your doctor. Don’t change the dosage or timing of prescription medications without talking to your doctor. If your ride spans dosage times, be sure to take enough of your medications and related supplies along to prevent missed doses. This can be critically important for individuals with conditions such as insulin-dependent diabetes.

• If you have special medications that are taken only in certain circumstances, such as a bee-sting allergy kit (EpiPen), or a rescue inhaler for asthma, be sure to bring them along on every ride.

• Some conditions make proper fit of your riding gear very important. For example, some individuals with diabetes or other conditions may have peripheral vascular disease and/or neuropathy affecting the lower extremities, resulting in reduced sensation in the feet. This makes the proper fit of riding footwear critically important. Foot injuries, such as blisters caused by incorrectly fitted footwear, may not be noticed due to reduced sensation in the feet, so prevention and early detection are very important. Once such injuries occur, healing may be difficult, and the potential for infection increases.

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