What are the common medicines that can be harmful to older people?

Regularly taking certain medicines can increase older people’s risk of falls, heart attacks, dementia and even death, according to new research from Scottish scientists.

Anticholinergic medications are used to treat various conditions, including allergies, irritable bladder and nausea.

They include the hayfever medicines Piriton, Cetirizine and Loratadine and stomach issue relief such as Buscopan and Imodium.

Around half of all older adults in the UK use anticholinergic medicines, which are used to treat various conditions, including allergies, irritable bladder and nausea.

• Generic name: Amantadine

  Brand name: Trilasym

• Generic name: Meclizine hydrochloride

  Brand name: TRAVELeeze, Bonine

• Generic name: Amitriptyline

  Brand name: Elavil

• Generic name: Methocarbamol

  Brand name: Robaxin

• Generic name: Atropine

  Brand name: Minims Atropine Sulfate, Sal-Tropine

• Generic name: Methotrimeprazine

  Brand name: Levomepromazine, Leverol, Nozinan, Levoprome

• Generic name: Baclofen

  Brand name: Baclofen

• Generic name: Nefopam

  Brand name: Acupan, Nefogesic

• Generic name: Carbamazepine

  Brand name: Tegretol

• Generic name: Nortriptyline

  Brand name: Allegron, Pamelor

• Generic name: Cetirizine hydrochloride

  Brand name: Cetirizine

• Generic name: Olanzapine

  Brand name: Zentiva, Zyprexa

• Generic name: Cimetidine

  Brand name: Cimetidine, Tagamet

• Generic name: Orphenadrine

  Brand name: Norgesic, Norflex

• Generic name: Chlorpheniramine/Chlorphenamine

  Brand name: Allerief, Boots Allergy Relief, Hayleve, Numark Antihistamine, Piriton

• Generic name: Oxcarbazepine

  Brand name: Trileptal

• Generic name: Chlorpromazine

  Brand name: Thorazine

• Generic name: Oxybutynin

  Brand name: Ditropan

• Generic name: Clomipramine

  Brand name: Anafranil

• Generic name: Paroxetine

  Brand name: Seroxat, Paxil

• Generic name: Clozapine

  Brand name: Denzapine, Zaponex, Clozaril

• Generic name: Perphenazine

  Brand name: Perphenzaine

• Generic name: Cyproheptadine

  Brand name: Periactin

• Generic name: Pimozide

  Brand name: Orap

• Generic name: Darifenacin

  Brand name: Emselex, Enablex

• Generic name: Prochlorperazine maleate

  Brand name: Prochlorperazine

• Generic name: Dimenhydrinate

  Brand name: Dicycloverine, Dramamine, others

• Generic name: Promethazine

  Brand name: Sominex, Phenergan

• Generic name: Diphenhydramine

  Brand name: Nytol, Sleepeaze, Benadryl, others

• Generic name: Propantheline

  Brand name: Pro-Banthine

• Generic name: Doxepin

  Brand name: Sinequan

• Generic name: Propiverine

  Brand name: Detrunorm

• Generic name: Doxylamine

  Brand name: Xonvea, Unisom, others

• Generic name: Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride

  Brand name: Galpseud

• Generic name: Fesoterodine

  Brand name: Teraleve, Toviaz

• Generic name: Quetiapine

  Brand name: Seroque

• Generic name: Flavoxate

  Brand name: Urispas

• Generic name: Solifenacin

  Brand name: Vesicar

• Generic name: Fluphenazine

  Brand name: Fluphenazine

• Generic name: Tizanidine hydrochloride

  Brand name: Tizagelan, Tizanidine

• Generic name: Hydroxyzine

  Brand name: Atarax, Vistaril

• Generic name: Tolterodine

  Brand name: Detrusitol, Mariosea, Neditol, Tolterma, Tolthen, Blerone, Preblacon, Detrol

• Generic name: Hyoscyamine/Hyoscine/Hyoscine Butylbromide

  Brand name: Buscopan, Anaspaz, Levsin, Kwells, Travel Calm

• Generic name: Trifluoperazine

  Brand name: Stelazine

• Generic name: Imipramine

  Brand name: Tofranil

• Generic name: Trihexyphenidyl

  Brand name: Artane

• Generic name: Loperamide hydrochloride

  Brand name: Loperamide, Norimode, Imodium

• Generic name: Trimipramine

  Brand name: Surmontil

• Generic name: Loratadine

  Brand name: Loratadine

• Generic name: Trospium

  Brand name: Regurin, Sanc

Previous attempts to reduce the over-prescribing of these medications have focused on targeting the prescriber and have had limited success.

Researchers from the University of Aberdeen are trying a new approach in which the patient is empowered to question the prescriber and be more involved in the decision-making around their care.

Do you take these medicines?

People aged 65 years and older who use one or more anticholinergic medicines have been invited to take part in the research. Anyone who has cared for an eligible adult can also take part.

Dr Carrie Stewart, who is managing the project, said: “We know that too much of these types of medicine can be very harmful to older people but so far, we haven’t been able to find the best way to reduce their use amongst older people.

“We want to try a different approach, targeting the patient as a way of initiating change.

“Empowerment allows patients to have greater control by having a say in the decisions and actions taken in relation to their health.

“What we learn from this study will inform and improve future deprescribing approaches which could lead to significant improvements for older peoples’ health, quality of life and health resource use.”

The study, funded by the Sir Halley Stewart Trust, is already under way and the team are looking for eligible adults to get in touch.

People can call 01224 438152 for more information and to check if they are eligible to participate.

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