Fall prevention and medication

How do medications affect the risk of falls?

As you age, chances are you will need more medications to treat health problems. Unfortunately, your body cannot process these medications as quickly, so side effects last longer. This is especially true of medications such as sleep aids, strong painkillers and blood pressure lowering drugs. These medications can cause side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness or decreased balance, which increases the risk of falling.

Medications that increase the risk of falling

Some medications can affect your blood pressure, balance or brain function. The following medications are known to increase your risk of falling:

• Sleep aids or medications for anxiety (benzodiazepines): These can cause drowsiness and drowsiness, which reduces your balance and alertness.
• Strength painkillers such as morphine, tramadol or oxycodone: These drugs often make you drowsy and can affect your balance.
• Blood pressure medications and urinary pills (diuretics): These can cause dizziness, especially when you stand up quickly.

In addition, there are specific drug groups that carry an increased risk of falls:

• Psychotropic medications: These are medications that affect your brain, such as benzodiazepines, antipsychotics and antidepressants. These drugs can affect your balance and perception, increasing the risk of falling.
• Cardiovascular medications: Medications that affect your heart and blood vessels, such as non-selective beta blockers, anti-arrhythmics, vasodilatants and calcium antagonists, can lower your blood pressure and cause dizziness.
• Opioids and anti-epileptics: These are strong painkillers and antiepileptic drugs that can also affect your balance and coordination.

The danger of polypharmacy

Polypharmacy is the use of four or more medications at once, often in the elderly. This increases the risk of falls, especially if the medications affect each other's actions. The issue is not just the amount of medication, but especially the combination of medications that can affect your balance, balance and blood pressure. This is why it is important to regularly discuss your medication use with us or with your doctor, especially if you notice that you feel dizzy or walk unsteadily.

When should you contact your doctor or pharmacist?

It is a good idea to talk to your doctor or us regularly about your medication use, especially in the following situations:

• If you are taking medications that increase the risk of falling, such as sleeping pills, strong painkillers, blood pressure lowering medications or medications for mental health issues.
• If you regularly feel dizzy, sleepy or drowsy.
• If you have a fear of falling or notice that you are walking insecurely.
• If you have fallen in the past year, as this may be a sign that your medication use needs to be reviewed.
• When you are prescribed new medications. Then always ask about possible side effects and how they may affect your balance.

How to reduce the risk of falling from medication:

There are several ways to reduce the risk of falling from medication. Here are some tips:

1. Consult regularly with your pharmacist or doctor: They can check your medications and see if there are alternatives that reduce the risk of falling.
2. Read the package insert carefully: Check for side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness or balance problems.
3. Seek advice on the best time to take your medication: Sometimes it is better to take medicine in the evening to have fewer side effects during the day.
4. Be alert to changes: If you notice that new medicines make you feel differently, discuss this with us or your doctor.

What can we do for you?

As a pharmacy, we can play a role in reducing the risk of falls from medications. We can help you by checking that your medications are well-matched and if there are any combinations that increase your risk of falling. In addition, we can advise you on the best way and time to take your medications and discuss possible side effects. Therefore, discuss it with us right away if you are concerned about your medication use or notice that you are experiencing side effects such as dizziness or drowsiness. We can adjust your medication use or choose other agents that may be safer for you.

Changing together to reduce fall risk

By being alert to the impact of medications and discussing this with us, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling. This contributes to a safer, healthier and independent lifestyle. By working together, we can prevent many problems and improve the quality of your life.