What drugs should be avoided in elderly?

AVOID Certain Anticholinergic Drugs
  • Antidepressants amitriptyline (Elavil) and imipramine (Tofranil)
  • Anti-Parkinson drug trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
  • Irritable bowel syndrome drug dicyclomine (Bentyl)


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 not be given to elderly?

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 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].

Which medication is not recommended for patients older than 65 years?

Drugs Older Adults Should Use with Caution

Also, consider avoiding aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen entirely if you're older than 75, taking an oral steroid, or taking a prescription blood thinner. Heart failure or irregular heartbeat medication: digoxin (Lanoxin).


Elderly: Inappropiate Medications



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 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.

What are the 3 most misused drugs?

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 ...


Why is Benadryl not recommended for over 65?

Thus, diphenhydramine should be strongly discouraged for chronic use. Because age-related changes occur in the cholinergic system, there is concern that strong anticholinergic effects may lead to a decline in cognitive function or even precipitate delirium in older adults.

What are three drugs commonly associated with adverse drug reactions in the elderly?

Hospitalization after emergency department visits for adverse drug events in older Americans resulted most commonly from warfarin, insulins, oral antiplatelet agents, and oral hypoglycemic agents [25]. Serious ADRs leading to morbidity, mortality, and high healthcare costs are a major concern.

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:


Which antidepressant should be avoided in the elderly?

Tricyclic antidepressants have manyknow contraindications such as dementia, cardiac conductive abnormalities, chronic constipation, prostatism or history of urinary retention [7]. So, tricyclic antidepressants should be avoided for being highly anticholinergic, sedating and causing orthostatic hypotension [8].

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 drugs cause delirium in elderly?

Observational studies show that the most common drugs associated with delirium are sedative hypnotics (benzodiazepines), analgesics (narcotics), and medications with an anticholinergic effect. Other medications in toxic doses can also cause delirium.

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 is the safest antihistamine for seniors?

So what can older adults safely take for allergy relief? Wozniak: Newer antihistamines such as Claritin® (loratadine) and Allegra® (fexofenadine) tend to be safer and better tolerated.


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 best sleep aid for elderly?

In these settings, melatonin is considered the preferred pharmacological option for elderly patients. It is also an option for patients who are blind and suffer from non–24-hour sleep–wake rhythm disorder, given evidence supporting circadian entrainment.

What prescription drug is most commonly abused?

Opioids (such as OxyContin and Vicodin), central nervous system depressants (such as Xanax and Valium), and stimulants (such as Concerta and Adderall) are the most commonly abused prescription drugs.


What is the most common drug offense?

Possession of Marijuana

Even in states where it is not yet decriminalized, the penalty is often just a fine. Nonetheless, it remains the most common drug offense and can often have significant collateral consequences.

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.


What is the most common adverse drug effect seen in the elderly?

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are common in older adults, with falls, orthostatic hypotension, delirium, renal failure, gastrointestinal and intracranial bleeding being amongst the most common clinical manifestations.


Which medicines should not be taken together?

Specifically, drugs that slow down breathing rate, such as opioids, alcohol, antihistamines, CNS depressants, or general anesthetics, should not be taken together because these combinations increase the risk of life-threatening respiratory depression.

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.