Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

The elderly are particularly susceptible to drug-induced delirium or dementia and serious side effects from medications, especially painkillers, antidepressants, antihistamines, sleeping pills, urinary incontinence drugs, and the nausea medication often prescribed to diabetics, Reglan (metoclopramide), according to Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group. Among the brand-named drugs most likely to cause delirium or dementia are Benadryl, Ambien, Lunesta, Detrol and Reglan.

The watchdog group sifted through assessments based on reviews of published data from medical journals and unpublished data from the USA, and has cataloged 136 commonly prescribed drugs that can produce symptoms of dementia or delirium. Dementia is a memory disorder. Delirium involves sudden changes to vision, hearing and thinking. Reports show that in many cases, doctors overlook the possibility that a patient’s medications may be causing his dementia or delirium.

The elderly are at greater risk of adverse events from medications, possibly due to a build-up in higher doses of medication in their bodies due to decreased kidney or liver function. Older adults also may take multiple drugs that could interact and produce unusual side effects. Furthermore, those suffering from a cognitive impairment are more likely to have their problem worsened by medications. Their symptoms also may be overlooked by physicians as symptoms of aging.

One such adverse event is a serious involuntary movement disorder, much like Parkinson’s disease, called Tardive Dyskinesia. The condition has been linked to long-term use of Reglan (metoclopramide) as well as some antidepressants. The elderly are especially susceptible to Tardive Dyskinesia.

Source: Natural News

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