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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)