Know the common medicines that increase your chances of falling.
Some medicines or combinations of medicines have side effects that make you feel drowsy, dizzy, or light-headed. This includes both prescribed and over-the-counter medications. These may cause you to lose your balance or feel unsteady on your feet. Talk with your pharmacist and physician about each of your medications and their side effects.
Learn More
To learn the prescription medications that may increase the risk of falls visit
http://uncnews.unc.edu/images/stories/news/health/2008/drugslist.pdf.
The table below lists examples of medications that may increase one's risk for falling. This list is not meant to be all inclusive, but meant to show examples from several medication classes that may increase one's risk. Do not stop taking of change the dose of any of your medications until you consult with your physicain. Abruptly stopping some medications can be dangerous.
Medications, Classes and Indications | Common Medications |
---|---|
Antiarrhythmics- used to normalize heart rhythm | Quinidine, procaineamide (Procan SR), propafenone (Rhythmol), digoxin |
Anticonvulsants-epilepsy, chronic neuropathic pain |
Phenytoin (Dilantin), Carbamazepine (Tegretol), gabapentin (Neurontin), lamotrigine (Lamictal), valproic acid (Depakene), valproate (Depakote), topiramate (Topamax) |
Antipsychotics medications, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, certain behavioral disorders association with dementia |
Olanzapine (Zyprexa), risperidone (Risperdal), quetiapine (Seroquel), Aripiprazole (Abilify), Haloperidol (Haldol) |
Anxiety or calming your nerves | Alprazolam (Xanex) Lorazepam (Ativan), Diazepam (Valium), Clonazepam (Klonopin) |
Colds and/or allergies | Pseudoephedrine, diphenhydramine (Benadryl) |
Depression | Fluoxetine (Prozac), Paroxetine (Paxil), Sertraline (Zoloft), Citalopram (Celexa), Amitriptyline (Elavil), Bupropion (Wellbutrin) |
Insomnia (difficulty sleeping) | Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Tylenol PM, Advil PM) Zolpidem (Ambien), Triazolam (Halcion), Eszopiclone (Lunestra), Zaleplon (Sonata) |
Muscle relaxants | Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), methocarbamol (Robaxin), baclofen |
Nausea and vomiting or motion sickness | Meclizine, dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) |
Pain | Morphine, Hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Vicodin), Propoxyphene (Darvocet), Codeine, Oxycodone (Percocet) |