Medications and Fall Risk

Medications and Fall Risk

What People Should Know About Side Effects and Fall Prevention

Falls Prevention Month highlights the importance of reducing fall risk, and medications are one often-overlooked factor. Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can increase the likelihood of a fall, making medication awareness an important part of fall prevention.

"Medications aren't typically the first thing people think about when it comes to fall risk, but they can affect coordination, alertness and blood pressure in ways that increase the likelihood of a fall," said Yinglai Chang, pharmacy resident at Aspirus.

Even seemingly minor side effects can affect how a person moves through daily activities.

The risk can become more complicated when more than one medication is involved. Taking several medications that share similar side effects or interact with one another may compound those effects. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), taking five or more medications further increases the chances of side effects.

Prescription medications are not the only concern. Many commonly used over-the-counter products may also contribute to falls through side effects people may not expect. Diphenhydramine, found in Benadryl® and some sleep aids, may cause drowsiness. Some cold and cough medications may also affect alertness or blood pressure, increasing the likelihood of a fall. Because these products are widely available, many people assume they carry little risk, even though some can affect balance, coordination or overall safety.

Understanding what is in medication is an important part of using it safely. Chang encourages consumers to review active ingredients and warning labels before taking over-the-counter products, especially those that contain multiple ingredients. Reading the label can help people identify potential side effects and determine whether they have questions for a pharmacist or health care provider. Pharmacists can also help explain potential side effects, interactions and other medication-related concerns.

"One thing that you can do today to better understand your fall risk is to talk to a pharmacist about your medications and address any concerns that you have," said Chang. "Pharmacists are willing to go through your medications with you and help assess potential concerns."

Anyone experiencing drowsiness, dizziness or other symptoms that affect alertness or coordination should talk with a pharmacist or health care provider. Medications should not be stopped without first seeking medical guidance.

For more information about medication safety and fall prevention, visitaspirus.org/falls-prevention.

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