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Journal of Pharmacy Practice, Vol. 17, No. 2, 149-152 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/0897190004263215

Preventing Falls in the Elderly: The Role of the Pharmacist

Patricia A. Keys, Pharm D

Division of Clinical, Social, and Administrative Sciences at the Mylan School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, duqkeys1{at}yahoo.com

Dianne R. Tress, RSM, CRNP

Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Falls are a common and often devastating occurrence for the elderly in home and institutional settings. The physical, psychological, and economic consequences of falls are significant. Elderly patients at highest fall risk usually have a number of predisposing conditions contributing to that risk. Medications are frequently associative factors in falls in the elderly. The overall number of medications prescribed is often as important as the choice of drug in determining potential for falls. The medications most often implicated in falls are antipsychotics, sedative-hypnotics, antidepressants, type I antiarrhythmics, anticonvulsants, narcotics, and other medications with significant anticholinergic side effects. The literature regarding medications and fall risk is conflicting and difficult to interpret and apply. Confounding variables contributing to this ambiguity include pharmacokinetic factors, range of doses administered, coexisting medical problems, differences in patient care settings, study duration, and outcomes measured. Strategies and considerations for pharmacist assessment of medication-related fall risk are presented.

Key Words: Falls • risk factors • medications • pharmacist’s role • assessment • intervention • osteoporosis


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