Medication and injury risk: what you should know

Generally, the need for medication increases with age, as health problems become more likely to occur we grow older. However, certain types of medication have side effects, many of increase the risk of accidents such as slips and falls.

COMMON CULPRITS

Several drugs are known to increase the risk of slips and falls for a number of reason: they reduce alertness, interfere with balance or cause a drop in blood pressure when getting up from a seated or lying down position.

Common culprits include:

• Psychotropic drugs (e.g. sleeping pills. Antipsychotics, anxiolytics, opioid analgesics, antidepressants)

• Heart medication

• Anticonvulsants

• Anti-diabetic medication

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (e.g. ibuprofen, naproxen)

Additionally, the more medications you take, the greater the risk of slips and falls as drug interactions increase the potential for side effects.

HOW TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS

To prevent slips and falls caused by medication side effects, it’s important to periodically go over the list of drugs you take (prescribed or otherwise) with your doctor. It’s often possible to wither progressively reduce your intake of certain medications, opt for varieties with fewer side effects, or adopt alternative solutions, such as reducing your dosage of anxiety medication in favour of relaxation exercises.

Never stop taking your medication because you’re scared of failing. On the contrary, it’s essential that you follow the dosage assigned to you by your doctor. Abruptly ending or alerting your medication intake can actually increase the risk of accidents such as slips and falls. Always consult your doctor.