CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Sleep and depression medicines may increase the risk of falls among older adults
The risk of falling already rises with age, but some sleep and depression medicines may further increase that risk. Research has found that the use of certain antidepressants and sleep medicines may be linked to fall incidents among older adults. However, this does not mean every patient will face the same risk from these medicines.
One study found a higher risk of falls among people aged over 65 who were taking sleep medicines. The risk was seen to be higher particularly with some benzodiazepines and medicines such as trazodone. Researchers also acknowledged that people with sleep problems or other serious health conditions may already have a higher risk of falling.
Different studies have also reported risks linked to antidepressant medicines. Some research found around a 30% higher risk of falls with the use of SSRI and SNRI medicines, while a recent large study found the risk of injury-related falls with some first-line antidepressants to be lower than in the untreated group. This makes clear that the choice of medicine, the patient’s age, other medicines and health condition are all important.
Therefore, older patients should not suddenly stop taking sleep or depression medicines without medical advice. Doctors can review the need for the medicine, the dosage and other options.
Hashtags: #Health #Bhopal #SleepMedicines #DepressionMedicines #OlderAdults #FallRisk #Antidepressants #Benzodiazepines #Trazodone #SSRI
