Seniors Should Steer Clear of These Meds

Experts update criteria for drugs the elderly should avoid

FRIDAY, Dec. 26, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- A U.S. national expert panel has identified 48 medications or classes of medications that adults aged 65 and older should avoid.

The update appears in a recent issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Estrogen in older women and the popular over-the-counter antihistamine Benadryl were among those on the updated list of medicines to avoid. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin and Advil, or ibuprofen, were on a second list of medications that older adults with certain medical conditions should avoid.

Nonsteroids and aspirin, known to increase the risk of bleeding, were listed as drugs that may be inappropriate for people with gastric or duodenal ulcers.

The panel also added to the list of conditions that increase patients' risk for adverse drug events. These additions include cognitive impairment, depression, Parkinson's disease, anorexia, malnutrition and obesity.

More information

Here's where you can learn more about medicines and older adults.

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