When it comes to the medications we are prescribed, we usually do not think twice. After all, it is easy to assume that your doctor knows best. However, many medicines can affect people differently depending on different factors, which means that these pills can be safe for some and dangerous for others. In fact, according to recent research, several medications you regularly prescribe can put you at risk if you are older than 65. Read on to find out if you are taking this common medicine, and to use more medicine, if If you are using this medicine, the FDA has a new warning for you.
Researchers at the University of Buffalo tried to investigate the link between falls due to falls and prescription drugs between people aged 65 and older between 1999 and 2017. Their findings were published in the journal on February 3rd. Pharmacopoeia epidemiology and medicine safety. According to the study, more than 563 000 000 people aged 65 and older were given at least one medication that increases the risk of falling in 2017 – which is 94 percent of the people in this age group. And if you feel it at night, you should check your liver, doctors say.
Fall risk-increasing medications include antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, antihypertensives, opioids, sedatives, and benzodiazepines, such as Valium and Xanax. According to the study, the hyperdrugs most commonly prescribed to increase medication for older adults were used to treat high blood pressure. However, researchers also said that the use of antidepressants increased sharply, rising from 12 million prescriptions in 1999 to more than 52 million in 2017.
“The increase in antidepressant use seen in this study is likely related to the use of these drugs as safer alternatives to older medications,” the researcher concluded. Amy Shaver, PharmD, postdoctoral fellow at the UB School of Public Health and Health Professions, said in a statement. “However, it is important to note that these medications are still associated with increased risks of falls and fractures among older adults.” And sign up for our daily newsletter for more information.
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among those aged 65 and over. According to the agency, the death toll is about 64 deaths per 100,000 people. The CDC says that one in four residents aged 65 and older reports annually, and that an estimated three million emergency visits occur annually. And for more guidance for older adults, if you’re over 65, the CDC says to expect this after your COVID vaccine.
According to researchers, the percentage of people aged 65 and older increased by at least one prescription for a decline risk, rising from 57 percent in 1999 to 94 percent in 2017. During the same period, the mortality rate caused by people in this period fell into age group as well. more than doubled. According to the study, ‘drugs that increase the fall’ may partly explain the increase in mortality due to fall ‘, but the current study cannot completely rule it out.
“Our study indicates that two trends are increasing simultaneously at a population level that needs to be examined at the individual level,” Shaver said. “We hope it will start more discussions about healthcare teams about the pros and cons of medicines prescribed for vulnerable populations.” And for more health warnings for the elderly, if you are over 65, you may be missing this COVID symptom, study says.