What medication should be avoided in the 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 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 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).

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 ...


Elderly: Inappropiate Medications



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 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 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 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 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 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.

Which antidepressant should be avoided in elderly?

Tricyclic antidepressants, especially amitriptyline and dothiepin,16 are known to pose a high risk of death in overdosage. These drugs should therefore be avoided in older people whose medication is not supervised and who are at risk of taking an overdose.

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 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 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 are four conditions that may lead to toxic medication reactions in older adults?

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.


What are the most common medications that can cause adverse reactions?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, monoclonal antibodies, anti-seizure drugs and ACE inhibitors are frequent causes of allergic drug reactions.

Why elderly patients are more likely to experience adverse drug effects?

Increased Sensitivity to Many Drugs: The problems of decreased body size, altered body composition (more fat, less water), and decreased liver and kidney function cause many drugs to accumulate in older people's bodies at dangerously higher levels and for longer times than in younger people.

What medication can worsen dementia?

Anticholinergics are linked with significant increases in dementia risk. These include certain antidepressants, antiparkinsonians, antipsychotics, antiepileptic drugs, and bladder control medications.


What are the nine drugs that are linked to dementia?

Examples: Acetazolamide (Diamox), carbamazepine (Tegretol), ezogabine (Potiga), gabapentin (Neurontin), lamotrigine (Lamictal), levetiracetam (Keppra), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), pregabalin (Lyrica), rufinamide (Banzel), topiramate (Topamax), valproic acid (Depakote) and zonisamide (Zonegran).

What are the 9 memory robbing drugs?

8 Medications That May Cause Memory Loss
  • Benzodiazepines. Antianxiety agents may cause memory loss due to the sedative effect that they have on certain parts of the brain. ...
  • Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs. ...
  • Antiepileptic Agents. ...
  • Narcotic Painkillers. ...
  • Dopamine Agonists. ...
  • Antihypertensive Drugs. ...
  • Incontinence Medications. ...
  • Antihistamines.


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.


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 the safest antibiotic for the elderly?

Temafloxacin: A safe antibiotic for the elderly, patients with comorbidities, and other special populations. AndréG.