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

AVOID Certain Anticholinergic Drugs
  • Antidepressants amitriptyline (Elavil) and imipramine (Tofranil)
  • Anti-Parkinson drug trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
  • Irritable bowel syndrome drug dicyclomine (Bentyl)
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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 ...
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What is the most common medication problem in the elderly?

Drug-related problems are common in older adults and include drug ineffectiveness, adverse drug effects, overdosage, underdosage, inappropriate treatment, inadequate monitoring, nonadherence, and drug interactions. (See also Overview of Drug Therapy in Older Adults.
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Elderly: Inappropiate Medications



What is the most important vitamin for seniors?

Dietary supplements for older adults
  • Calcium: Calcium works with vitamin D to keep bones strong at all ages. Bone loss can lead to fractures in both older women and men. ...
  • Vitamin D: ...
  • Vitamin B6: This vitamin is needed to form red blood cells. ...
  • Vitamin B12: This helps keep your red blood cells and nerves healthy.
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What drugs cause confusion in elderly?

If you're experiencing forgetfulness or confusion, check your medicine cabinet
  • Antianxiety drugs (Benzodiazepines) ...
  • Cholesterol-lowering drugs (Statins) ...
  • Antiseizure drugs. ...
  • Antidepressant drugs (Tricyclic antidepressants) ...
  • Narcotic painkillers. ...
  • Parkinson's drugs (Dopamine agonists) ...
  • Hypertension drugs (Beta-blockers)
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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)
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What are the 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%.
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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.
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What is the most common health concern after age 65?

Common conditions in older age include hearing loss, cataracts and refractive errors, back and neck pain and osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, depression and dementia.
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Why can't over 65s take ibuprofen?

If you're over 65, ibuprofen can make you more likely to get stomach ulcers. Your doctor will prescribe you a medicine to protect your stomach if you're taking ibuprofen for a long-term condition.
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Why is Benadryl not recommended for over 65?

Benadryl and older antihistamines

But first-generation antihistamines should be avoided in older adults in many cases. Because as we age, it's harder for our bodies to properly get rid of them. And higher doses may be needed for them to work. That can greatly raise your risk of side effects, including confusion.
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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.
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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.
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What is the most prescribed antidepressant for the elderly?

When it comes to antidepressants for elderly patients, most experts recommend SSRIs or selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which help increase certain brain chemicals such as serotonin. These drugs tend to have fewer serious side effects and drug interactions than older antidepressants on the market.
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Is metoprolol a high risk med?

General. High Alert Medication: This medication bears a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm when it is used in error.
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What medications need to be double checked?

10–12 Some organisations require double checking for all medications while others only for high-risk medications such as opioids, chemotherapeutic agents and intravenous drugs. Significant resources are required, given the process requires two individuals instead of one.
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Is gabapentin a high risk drug?

Recent evidence suggests safety concerns associated with gabapentin including adverse neurologic effects. Individuals with hepatitis C (HCV), HIV, or AUD may be at increased risk due to comorbidities and potential medication interactions.
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What drugs are considered high-alert medications?

Classes/categories of high-alert medications
  • adrenergic agonists, IV (e.g., EPINEPHrine, phenylephrine, norepinephrine)
  • adrenergic antagonists, IV (e.g., propranolol, metoprolol, labetalol)
  • anesthetic agents, general, inhaled and IV (e.g., propofol, ketamine)
  • antiarrhythmics, IV (e.g., lidocaine, amiodarone)
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Which drug is considered the highest risk medication used in the in patient setting?

For example, the intravenous anticoagulant heparin is considered one of the highest-risk medications used in the inpatient setting.
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What are the 9 common prescription drugs that cause dementia?

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)
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What medication can worsen 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:
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What are the two most common causes for confusion in the elderly?

Some of the most common causes of sudden confusion include: an infection – urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common cause in elderly people or people with dementia. a stroke or TIA ("mini-stroke") a low blood sugar level in people with diabetes.
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