Medications to watch in the older adult
Benzodiazepines: falls, confusion, prolonged half-life Anticholinergics (oxybutynin, diphenhydramine, first-generation antihistamines): confusion, urinary retention, constipation, dry mouth First-generation antipsychotics: extrapyramidal effects, increased mortality in dementia Long-acting sulfonylureas: prolonged hypoglycemia NSAIDs: kidney injury, GI bleeding, heart failure Muscle relaxants: sedation and falls A prescribing cascade is a drug given to treat the side effect of another drug, mistaken for a new problem.