Warning to millions taking common drugs over increased risk of catastrophic side effect
TAKING a range of common drugs can increase your risk of falls, researchers warn.
Millions of Brits who take pills for conditions including anxiety, hay fever and high blood pressure have a greater chance of suffering a fall, according to Harvard Medical School.
A Harvard spokesperson said: “Many drugs can increase the risk of falls.
“The more drugs you take, the greater the chance that one or a combination of them will make a fall more likely to happen.
“Some medications are well known for side effects that increase a person’s risk of falling.”
The drugs include ones prescribed for hypertension, which help reduce your risk of stroke and heart failure.
However, they can make people’s blood pressure too low when they stand up quickly, increasing the risk of falling, particularly in older adults.
A study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, found the people on the drugs were up to 40 per cent more likely to suffer a serious fall than those not on them
Dr Mary Tinetti, of Yale School of Medicine, said: “Antihypertensive medications were associated with an increased risk of serious fall injuries, particularly among those with previous fall injuries.
“The potential harms vs benefits of antihypertensive medications should be weighed in deciding to continue treatment with antihypertensive medications in older adults with multiple chronic conditions.”
Drugs that impact your central nervous system can also increase the risk.
These include anti-anxiety meds like diazepam — also known as Valium — and lorazepam, which is sold as Ativan.
Benadryl, an antihistamine that can cause drowsiness, also impacts the CNS.
Prescription sleeping drugs like zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon (Sonata), and eszopiclone (Lunesta) are on the list as well.
And opioids like codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone and fentanyl can all boost the chances of a fall.
Particular antidepressants called tricyclic antidepressants can also boost your risk.
They include amitriptyline — sold as Elavil — which is usually prescribed for chronic pain.
Finally, drugs for overactive bladders like oxybutynin (Ditropan) and tolterodine (Detrol) can increase your chances of a fall.