CHAPEL HILL, NC -- July 10, 2008 -- Certain prescription drugs increase the risk of falling for patients aged 65 years and older who take 4 or more medications on a regular basis, according to interim results of an ongoing study published in the June 2008 issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy.
"Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries for adults 65 and older, and research suggests that those taking 4 or more medications are at an even greater risk than those who don't -- perhaps 2 to 3 times greater," said lead investigator Susan Blalock, PhD, University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Dr. Blalock and colleagues evaluated the effectiveness of a falls-prevention program they developed for pharmacists to implement. The randomised controlled trial included a total of 186 patients, of which 67 have completed the first year of follow-up.
The medications on the list cover a wide range of common prescription antidepressants, seizure medications, and painkillers. The common denominator among them is that they all work to depress the central nervous system, which can make patients less alert and slower to react.
Lead author Stefanie Ferreri, PharmD, University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy, warns that many over-the-counter medications can also contribute to falls.
"Some allergy medications, sleep aids, and some cold and cough remedies can have the same effects as prescription drugs," Dr. Ferreri said.
The researchers offered the following advice to practitioners:
· Physicians should look for medications that have been proven safe and effective in older adults and look for medicines that have less of a sedating effect. Physicians should be especially wary of anticholinergics.
· Pharmacists should be alert for patients aged 65 years and older who are taking 4 or more drugs and be sure the patients know about the additional risk of falling created by their medications.
Results of the study will be reported after the completion of the follow-up data collection activities.
To download the list of prescription drugs that increase the risk of falls for patients aged 65 years and older, http://uncnews.unc.edu/images/stories/news/health/2008/drugslist.pdf
SOURCE: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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