Effects of Some Medications in Older People

Medications

• Age and disease can result in changes in pharmacokinetics – the time it takes to absorb, distribute, metabolise and excrete drugs
• These can also cause different effects on cellular and organ function
• Not adhering to drug therapy or misuse can increase the risk of adverse effects
• Certain classes of medications are more likely to increase falls risk
• Centrally acting or psychoactive medications are more likely to contribute to falls. Can increase risk by up to 25%
• These medications include benzodiazepines, antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants
• Antiepileptic drugs and drugs that lower blood pressure are weakly associated with falls risk
• Cardiac drugs and analgesic agents are not associated with increased falls risk
• Taking multiple drugs contributes to increased falls risk
• Of greater concern when osteoporosis is an issue.