Use of anticholinergics in the nursing home: an empirical study and review

The Medicare Utilization Review Committee conducted a survey to determine the use of drugs with anticholinergic effects in confused elderly nursing home patients. Twenty-nine patients (34.5 percent) were receiving anticholinergic drugs, predominantly from the antidepressant and antipsychotic class. Thioridazine (Mellaril) was the most frequently used antipsychotic. No patients received higher than the equivalent recommended daily dose of atropine when calculated in terms of relative anticholinergic potency. No statistically significant correlation could be found between the presence of confusion and the amount of anticholinergics administered. Confusion and cognitive deterioration frequently are encountered when caring for aged patients. Clinical experience and recent studies suggest that anticholinergics may increase the risk of or exacerbate existing confusion, and this possible effect of anticholinergic activity should be considered when prescribing for elderly patients.