What are 5 drugs to avoid in the elderly?

Some Common Drugs Should Be Tossed From a Senior's Medicine Cabinet
  • NSAIDs. (non-steroidal inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) and aspirin can increase risk of stomach ulcers, blood pressure, heart failure and affect kidneys.
  • Antihistamines. ...
  • Sleeping aids. ...
  • Benzodiazepines. ...
  • Opioids.


What drugs should the elderly not take?

Here are seven common types of anticholinergic medication that older adults should avoid, or use with caution:
  • Sedating antihistamines. ...
  • PM versions of over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers. ...
  • Medications for overactive bladder. ...
  • Medications for vertigo or motion sickness. ...
  • Medications for itching. ...
  • Medications for nerve pain.


What lists drugs that should not be prescribed to patients over the age of 65?

To reduce risk, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) maintains a list of medications that are more likely to cause problems for seniors. It's called the AGS Beers Criteria (informally called the Beers list) and is for doctors to use as a reference when prescribing drugs to patients who are 65 or older.


What is the most common inappropriately prescribed drug to the elderly?

In one study, 19 percent of 2508 community-dwelling older adults were using one or more medications inappropriately; NSAIDs and benzodiazepines were the drug classes with the most potential problems [43].

What are two drugs that majorly contribute to side effects in the elderly?

The American Geriatrics Society maintains a list of medications that may be risky for older adults. Common examples are benzodiazepines and fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Side effects that may happen more frequently in older adults include muscle pain from statins, thinking changes from sedative medications, and more.


Improve Memory by AVOIDING These Drugs ⛔



What is the safest blood pressure medicine for the elderly?

Low-dose thiazide diuretics remain first-line therapy for older patients. Beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, and calcium channel blockers are second-line medications that should be selected based on comorbidities and risk factors.

What is safest muscle relaxer for elderly?

Some muscle relaxants (baclofen and tizanidine) can be used in older persons, again accounting for kidney and liver function. Opioids have limited use in common spine-related pain, but can be used with caution in cases that don't respond to treatment.

What are the three most commonly abused prescription?

Three types of drugs are abused most often: • Opioids—prescribed for pain relief • CNS depressants—barbiturates and benzodiazepines prescribed for anxiety or sleep problems (often referred to as sedatives or tranquilizers) • Stimulants—prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the sleep disorder ...


What are high risk medications for the elderly?

- Phenobarbital (Luminal) - Mephobarbital (Mebaral) - Secobarbital (Seconal) - Butabarbital (Butisol) - Pentobarbital (Nembutal) - Butalbital and Butalbital combinations (Fioricet/Codeine) These medications are highly addictive and cause more adverse effects than most other sedatives in the elderly, greatly increasing ...

What are the three most commonly abused prescription medications?

Q: What are some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs?
  • Painkillers, also known as narcotic or opiates/opioids. ...
  • Depressants, which are prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. ...
  • Stimulants are often prescribed to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).


What is the most common health concern after age 65?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for adults over the age of 65. Conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol need to be managed properly and taking good care of your heart are vital to avoid developing heart disease in your later years.


What is the best medicine for seniors?

Below are the top 10 medications prescribed to elderly Americans.
  • Hydrocodone. Hydrocodone, which is often blended with acetaminophen, is a pain medication often sold under the brand names Lorcet, Norco, and Vicodin. ...
  • Simvastatin. ...
  • Lisinopril. ...
  • Levothyroxine. ...
  • Amlodipine Besylate. ...
  • Omeprazole. ...
  • Azithromycin. ...
  • Metformin.


What blood pressure medications should be avoided?

Topic Overview
  • Decongestants, such as those that contain pseudoephedrine.
  • Pain medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
  • Cold and influenza medicines. These often contain decongestants and NSAIDs.
  • Some antacids and other stomach medicines. ...
  • Some natural health products.


What 9 drugs are linked to Alzheimer's?

Some anticholinergic drugs linked to dementia risk include:
  • Amitriptyline (Elavil)
  • Aripiprazole (Abilify)
  • Benztropine (Cogentin)
  • Biperiden (Akineton)
  • Brompheniramine (Dimaphen DM)
  • Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
  • Chlorpheniramine (ChlorTrimeton)
  • Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)


What medications should be avoided with dementia?

Medications Implicated in the Worsening of Dementia Symptoms:
  • Anticholinergic Drugs: The first on our list are anticholinergic drugs, one of many medications that can cause dementia. ...
  • Benzodiazepines: ...
  • Steroids: ...
  • Antipsychotics: ...
  • Beta-Blockers:


What drugs can cause symptoms of dementia?

They noted a significant increase in dementia risk for those using anticholinergic antidepressants, antiparkinson drugs, antipsychotics, bladder antimuscarinic drugs, and antiepileptic drugs.

What are the 6 high risk medications?

High risk medications
  • A – Antimicrobials.
  • P – Potassium and other electrolytes, psychotropic medications.
  • I – Insulin.
  • N – Narcotics, opioids and sedatives.
  • C – Chemotherapeutic agents.
  • H – Heparin and other anticoagulants.
  • S – Safer systems (e.g. safe administration of liquid medications using oral syringes)


What are the top 5 high-alert medications?

The five high-alert medications are insulin, opiates and narcotics, injectable potassium chloride (or phosphate) concentrate, intravenous anticoagulants (heparin), and sodium chloride solutions above 0.9%.

What is the best medication for anxiety in the elderly?

Antidepressants are the first-line treatment in anxiety disorders [16]. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are more commonly used in the elderly, due to their tolerability and safety profile in this population [17].

What are three warning signs of prescription drug abuse?

Warning Signs of Prescription Misuse
  • Pills or medication bottles are missing from your home.
  • Taking medication in excess of how it has been prescribed.
  • Abrupt changes in their finances.
  • Dramatic mood changes.
  • Lower grades, changes in friends, or changes in sleep or appetite.
  • Loss of concern about appearance.


What is the most misused drug in the US?

Get facts about the most commonly misused and abused drugs.
  • Alcohol.
  • Bath Salts (Synthetic Cathinones)
  • Club Drugs.
  • Cocaine.
  • Hallucinogens.
  • Heroin.
  • Inhalants.
  • Marijuana.


Which drug has a high potential for abuse?

Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Some examples of Schedule I drugs are: heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), methaqualone, and peyote.

What can replace a muscle relaxer?

The 7 Best Natural Muscle Relaxers
  • Chamomile.
  • Cherry juice.
  • Blueberry smoothies.
  • Cayenne pepper.
  • Vitamin D.
  • Magnesium.
  • Rest.


What is the best medication to relax muscles?

Antispasmodics: Centrally Acting Skeletal Muscle Relaxers
  • Carisoprodol (Soma) Carisoprodol is a centrally acting muscle relaxant. ...
  • Chlorzoxazone (Lorzone, Parafon Forte DSC, Remular-S) ...
  • Cyclobenzaprine (Amrix) ...
  • Metaxalone (Skelaxin) ...
  • Methocarbamol (Robaxin) ...
  • Orphenadrine (Norflex) ...
  • Baclofen (Ozobax) ...
  • Tizanidine (Zaniflex)


What is the closest over the counter muscle relaxer?

No muscle relaxers are available over the counter in the U.S., but some OTC medications can have muscle-relaxing effects. These include guaifenesin and NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen.