drugs
Precautions With Over the Counter Drugs
Older People
Normal aging changes the speed and ways in which the body metabolizes drugs (see Aging and Medications ), and older people tend to have more diseases and to take more than one drug at a time. For these reasons, older people may be more likely than younger ones to experience side effects or drug interactions. More and more prescription drug labels specify whether different doses are needed for older people, but such information is rarely included on over-the-counter (OTC) drug labels. Many OTC drugs are potentially hazardous for older people. The risk increases when drugs are taken regularly at the maximum dose. For example, an older person who has arthritis may frequently use an analgesic or anti-inflammatory drug, with potentially serious consequences, such as a Bleeding . Such an ulcer is life threatening for an older person and can occur without warning. Many antihistamines, such asdiphenhydramine, are designated as "sedating" antihistamines and may pose special risks for older people. Many nighttime pain relief formulas, cough and cold remedies, allergy drugs, and sleep aids contain sedating antihistamines. These antihistamines may cause drowsiness or fatigue and may worsen some disorders common among older people, such as closed-angle glaucoma and an enlarged prostate gland. They can also make a person dizzy or unsteady, leading to falls and broken bones. Antihistamines, particularly at a high dose or in combination with other drugs, can sometimes cause blurred vision, light-headedness, dry mouth, difficulty with urination, constipation, and confusion in older people.Fexofenadine,cetirizine, andloratadineare among the antihistamines considered to be "nonsedating," and they are less likely to cause drowsiness or other side effects. Older people may be more susceptible to the possible side effects of antacids. Antacids that contain aluminum are more likely to cause constipation, and antacids that contain magnesium are more likely to cause diarrhea and dehydration. During visits to the doctor, older people should mention all OTC products they are taking, including Overview of Vitamins , Many different types of over-the-counter products (such as cold and allergy remedies, motion sickness drugs, and sleep aids) contain antihistamines. Many antihistamines (that is, sedating antihistamines) decrease alertness and have many other side effects, and they may be dangerous for people with certain disorders. Consequently, being able to identify which products contain these antihistamines is useful. OTC antihistamines are listed under active ingredients on the package. Antihistamines that have such side effects include the following: Brompheniramine Chlorpheniramine Dexbrompheniramine Dimenhydrinate Diphenhydramine Doxylamine Phenindamine Pheniramine Pyrilamine Triprolidine 