$Unique_ID{BRK00737}
$Pretitle{Community and Social Problems}
$Title{Symptoms in Older People From Changing Medications}
$Subject{drugs aging side effect}
$Volume{Q-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Symptoms in Older People From Changing Medications


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QUESTION:  My father is in a nursing home, and we were recently called because
he had started to act peculiar and strange.  After many phone calls and much
anxiety, it was discovered that his medications had been changed and he was
having an effect from his new drug.  Could you please publish a list of
medications that can cause these frightening symptoms in older people?  You
would be doing your readers a great service.

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ANSWER:  I wish the answer could be a simple as your request, for certainly
the circumstances you describe are a common, and unfortunate occurrence, and
occur with greater frequency in older patients than younger folk.  The truth
however, is that the list of medications I would have to include would fill
pages of text, for the emotional and psychological effects you noted can occur
with many types of medications.  The symptoms may range from depression and
anxiety, to confusion, memory impairment, paranoia,  irritability, rage,
insomnia, hallucinations, and even states resembling psychotic diseases.
Though many types of medications may be at fault, remember that each person
reacts differently to medications, and that in the greatest majority of cases,
all of the types of medications I will mention, are safe and very effective
for the purposes they are prescribed.  Anti-cholinergic drugs used for stomach
cramps and antiparkinsonian medications are one group of medications with such
side effects, along with tranquilizers, sleep preparations and medications
used for depression.  Some medications useful in controlling asthma, others
commonly used for treating stomach ulcers may occasionally bring on spells of
disorientation and confusion.  Pain medication of various sorts, even over the
counter ibuprofen, may, in certain sensitive individuals cause depression and
paranoia, though the numbers of such cases are low.  The point that must be
made here is that careful and close observation must be accorded to anyone who
is taking medication, and must be even more diligent when medications are
changed or added to their therapy.  Since older people are more sensitive,
dosages should be low in the beginning, gradually working upward until the
desired effect is obtained.  Whenever a change in the behavior pattern of an
older patient occurs, the first action is to review their medication list, and
to discontinue the newest addition, while examining the patient for signs of
other new problems that might be causing the situation.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
