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Anticholinergics and falls in older adults
Xiang Jiang Xu1, Maw Pin Tan1,2,3
1Ageing and Age-Associated Disorders Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology
|April 25, 2022
Summary
Anticholinergic (ACh) medications increase fall risk in older adults, with potential long-term and irreversible effects. Cumulative exposure from multiple drugs heightens this risk, necessitating further research into long-term outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Anticholinergic (ACh) medications are linked to adverse effects, particularly in the elderly.
- Emerging evidence indicates potential long-term consequences of ACh medication use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effects of anticholinergic properties of medications on falls in older adults.
- To examine the impact of cumulative ACh exposure on short-term and long-term falls risk.
Main Methods:
- Searched CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases.
- Included articles published from January 2002 to December 2021.
Main Results:
- ACh side effects like confusion and blurred vision increase falls risk.
- Polypharmacy involving multiple ACh-possessing drugs exacerbates falls risk.
- ACh drug effects on falls may be irreversible due to deconditioning.
Conclusions:
- Anticholinergic medication use presents a significant risk for falls in older adults.
- Cumulative exposure and potential irreversible effects warrant further investigation.
- Long-term studies are needed to quantify ACh exposure and falls outcomes.
Keywords:
Anticholinergic syndromeaccidental fallsageddrug-related side effects and adverse reactionspolypharmacyMore Related Videos
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