Consumer Reports has published a valuable article identifying common prescription drugs that can be dangerous for older patients. Healthcare consumers over age 65 are more than twice as likely to suffer from adverse drug reactions; the publication lists the following drugs as posing a high enough risk that they should be avoided if possible:
Antianxiety drugs
- Chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Limbitrol); diazepam (Valium); quazepam (Doral)
- Recommended alternatives: alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam (Serax)
Antidepressants
- Amitriptyline, doxepin (Sinequan) and Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Recommended alternatives: citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft)
Antihistamines
- Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton); diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Recommended alternatives: Cetirizine (Zyrtec); fexofenadine (Allegra); loratadine (Claritin)
High blood pressure and enlarged prostate drugs
- Doxazosin (Cardura); prazosin (Minipress); terazosin (Hytrin)
- Recommended alternatives: Diuretics for high blood pressure; tamsulosin (Flomax) for enlarged prostate.
Pain relievers
- Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); oxaprozin (Daypro); piroxicam (Feldene); Meperidine (Demerol)
- Recommended alternatives: acetaminophen (Tylenol); ibuprofen (Advil); capsaicin forte cream (Zostrix); morphine
Sleeping pills
- Barbituates (Butisol, Nembutal, Seconal); diphenhydramine (Sominex); flurazepam (Dalmane)
- Recommended alternatives: zaleplon (Sonata) and zolpidem (Ambien)
Stomach drugs
- Bisacodyl (Dulcolax); Diphenoxylate (Lomotil)https://edrugsearch.com/drugs/imodium+advanced
- Recommended alternatives: Increased intake of fiber and fluids; change in diet; loperamide (Imodium AD)
VistaBay Drug Rehab says:
Thank you for providing such a good information over dangerous drugs for seniors.
information center says:
It is February 2015. If this has not been changed since October of 2008 is any of it still accurate?