Res Vestib Sci.  2016 Dec;15(4):101-106. 10.21790/rvs.2016.15.4.101.

Medications as Risk Factor for Falls

• Lee YW
• Nam SI

• KMID: 2362283
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21790/rvs.2016.15.4.101

Abstract

Falls are the most common cause of accidents among the older population, leading to both fatal and non-fatal injuries. Falls is a syndrome resulting from the cumulative effect of various extrinsic and intrinsic factors. It is considered to be a multifactorial disorder. Medication use is considered a risk factor for falls. We reviewed medications associated with falls in older individuals. In geriatrics populations, polypharmacy is associated with falls. Medical doctors should be aware of the possibility that starting a new medication, such as antihypertensive agents, benzodiazepine, antidepressants, opioid agents and antihistamines, may act as a trigger for the onset of a fall.

Keyword

Aged; Accidental falls; Polypharmacy; Medication

MeSH Terms

Accidental Falls*
Antidepressive Agents
Antihypertensive Agents
Benzodiazepines
Geriatrics
Histamine Antagonists
Intrinsic Factor
Polypharmacy
Risk Factors*
Antidepressive Agents
Antihypertensive Agents
Benzodiazepines
Histamine Antagonists
Intrinsic Factor