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.