Medications and Falls

Certain classes of medications may increase your risk for falling. These include:

• Antihypertensives or blood pressure medications
• Antidepressants
• Antipsychotics
• Prescription pain medications
• Medications for sleep.
  

Over the counter sleeping medications, which contain diphenhydramine, commonly called Benadryl, are not a good choice for a sleep medication in the elderly.  A low dose of a prescription sleep medication, if prescribed by your physician, may be a safer choice.  Also consider trying other techniques that will relax you prior to bedtime and practice good sleep hygiene.

If you are concerned that your medications may be making you dizzy or less balanced, talk with your physician or pharmacist.  Do not stop taking a prescribed medicine without first talking with your physician.

For more information about medications which can increase the risk of falling, visit the following link:

http://uncnews.unc.edu/news/health-and-medicine/some-drugs-increase-risk-of-falling-unc-researchers.html