Sedatives can ''increase falls in elderly''
24/11/2009
By Elizabeth Mewes
The number of falls among elderly people is "significantly associated" with sedatives, according to a recent research piece from Canada.
A study at the University of British Columbia (UBC) found that older people who are struggling to get sleep in bed each night should be prescribed sedatives very carefully, as it could lead to them literally falling foul of the drug.
It was particularly true for those prescribed anti-depressants, who fell more than any other demographic in the 79,000-strong sample.
Principal investigator Carlo Marra, an associate professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UBC, said: "These findings reinforce the need for judicious use of medications in elderly people at risk of falling.
"Safer alternatives, such as counselling, shorter-term or less-sedating therapies, may be more appropriate for certain conditions."
To follow up his research, Dr Marra hopes to look into how pharmacists can judge if a patient is at risk of falling, allowing them to educate the recipient about their medication use to ensure safe practice.
Last week, it was revealed that a two-minute, £3 jab could be all that is needed to cure snoring in those struggling to get a quiet night''s sleep in bed.
