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 Many
older adults take multiple medications to treat
health conditions. Taking four or more medications
significantly increases the risk for falling because
there are a greater number of side effects associated
with multiple medication use and the side effects
are often more intense. Interactions between medications
can also cause side effects. Furthermore, medications
react differently in the body as a person ages
which can increase the risk for falling.
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Tips
For Safe Medication Use
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1.
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 Keep
a list of all prescription and over-the-counter
(OTC) medications, as well as all dietary
and herbal supplements that you are taking,
and show this list to each doctor and pharmacist
you visit.
If
you take 4 or more medications, talk to
your doctors about possibly reducing the
number of medications in order to reduce
your risk of falling
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2.
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Ask
if a newly prescribed medication or supplement replaces something else,
is an addition to your other medications, or interacts with anything
else you are taking.
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3.
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Take
your medications as labeled, whether prescription
or over-the-counter.
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4.
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Remember to monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, or blood sugar at home, as recommended by your physician.
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5.
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Report any side effects of your medication to your doctor.
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6.
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Remember that alcohol interacts with many medications, often making the adverse effects of the medications worse.
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7.
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Share this information with family members and/or other caregivers.
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8.
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Talk with your doctor(s) and pharmacist(s) about any concerns.
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Minimize
Drug Side Side Effects |
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› Blood Pressure
› Angina
› Parkinson's Disease
› Urine Output
› Constipation
› Heart Rate and/or Rhythm
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All
can cause blood pressure to become
too low, especially when getting up
quickly from sitting or lying down,
causing dizziness, fainting;
Additionally, mineral loss from diuretics
(water pills) and over use of laxatives
can also cause weakness, especially
in leg muscles;
Heart rate can become too slow or
regular rhythm is not maintained with
the last group of medications.
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Stand
up slowly after sitting or lying down.
If lying down, sit up first, remain
seated for a few minutes, then stand
slowly.
If
possible, monitor blood pressure and
heart rate at home.
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›
Emotional Problems
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Involuntary
muscle movements, low blood pressure
when getting up quickly from sitting
or lying down, and effects on heart
rhythm can cause drowsiness, imbalance
and lack of coordination, slowing
of reactions, dizziness, and confusion.
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› Allergies/Cold
Symptoms
› Anxiety
› Depression
› Pain
› Sleep problems
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Can
cause drowsiness, confusion, slowing
of reactions, imbalance and lack of
coordination, especially if taking
medicine from more that one of these
groups.
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Avoid
over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines
(also found in some OTC sleep aids)
if possible. Do not take more than
one type of pain or anti-inflammatory
medication unless specifically directed
by your doctor. Do not mix with alcohol.
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›
Ulcers or Excess Stomach
Acid
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Can
cause dizziness, drowsiness, confusion.
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›
Blood Sugar
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Blood
sugar can become too low causing confusion,
weakness, fainting.
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Monitor
blood sugars as directed. Keep an
appropriate source of sugar handy.
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›
Blood Clotting Problems
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Excessive
decrease in ability to form blood
clots can cause bleeding, leading
to anemia, weakness and dizziness.
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Report
abnormal bleeding such as bruising
easily, unusual bleeding around gums,
blood in urine, or rectal bleeding
to doctor at once.
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› Pain
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Stomach irritation
can cause bleeding, leading to dizziness
and fainting.
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Do not take more
than one type of pain or anti-inflammatory
medication unless specifically directed
by your doctor. Do not take aspirin
with other types of anti-inflammatory
medications. Do not mix with alcohol.
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