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Psychotropic Medications Associated With Risk of Falls in Older Adults CHICAGO -- November 23, 2009 -- Older adults who take several types of psychotropic medications, such as antidepressants or sedatives, appear more likely to experience falls, according to an analysis of previous studies reported in the November 23 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine. John C. Woolcott, University of British Columbia and Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcomes Sciences, Vancouver, British Columbia, and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis of 22 previously published studies conducted between 1996 and 2007. The studies involved 79,081 participants aged older than 60 years and evaluated 9 drug classes: antihypertensive agents; diuretics; beta-blockers; sedatives and hypnotics; neuroleptics and antipsychotics; antidepressants; benzodiazepines; narcotics; and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. When the data were pooled and results adjusted for other factors, the use of sedatives and hypnotics, antidepressants and benzodiazepines were significantly associated with the risk of falling in older adults. “Given the divergent results shown by some observational assessments within specific medication classes, the results of our meta-analysis reiterate the need for caution when prescribing these medications to seniors,” the authors wrote. “It is hoped that future research in this area can be completed with larger sample sizes in both community and long-term care facility settings and thus improve the quality of information about fall risks that is available to physicians and pharmacists when they are deciding which types of pharmacotherapy to provide.” SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version