Never drive a car on the day of endoscopy or procedure under sedation: experts

If you've had sleep anesthesia for an endoscopy or procedure, you must not drive that day. That’s because anesthesia drugs have similar effects to alcohol, which can lead to major accidents.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and the Korean Society of Anesthesiologists recommended that people who have been given anesthetics or hypnotic sedatives for endoscopy, surgery, or other procedures should not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that requires sustained concentration and judgment.

Many medical narcotics, including propofol (anesthetic) and midazolam (hypnotic), are used for sleep anesthesia, and the duration of sleep anesthesia may vary depending on the characteristics of the medical narcotic used and the patient's constitution and health condition.

Even propofol, known for its quick recovery, can last up to 12 hours during which normal behavior is difficult. Also, while most patients wake up within a short time, it's not uncommon for patients to remain groggy for long after regaining consciousness.

"Some patients tell stories of driving home alone after sleep endoscopy thinking that they have recovered, but later on, they can't remember how they got there," said Yon Jun-heum, president of the Korean Society of Anesthesiologists. "You should never drive after sleep anesthesia. Take a car driven by a guardian or use public transportation, including taxis, and take a day off from work or exercise.

Chae Kyu-han, a drug safety planner at the MFDS, also said, “Refrain from driving after receiving sleep anesthesia for endoscopy or surgery/procedure is a way to protect your life and the lives of others. The MFDS will continue to discover and provide necessary information to help people use medical drugs safely and actively secure public safety."