depression drugs ‘causing falls’
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Depression drugs ‘causing falls’

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Depression drugs ‘causing falls’

London - Arabstoday

Elderly people with dementia are more likely to suffer falls if they are given anti-depressants by care home staff, a study claims. Many dementia patients also suffer from depression and drugs known as selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are frequently prescribed. But the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology reports that the risk of injuries from falls was tripled. The Alzheimer's Society called for more research into alternative treatments. The risk of falls following treatment with older anti-depressants is well established, as the medication can cause side effects such as dizziness and unsteadiness. It had been hoped that a move to newer SSRI-type drugs would reduce this problems, but the latest research, from the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, appears to show the reverse. Worrying' Dr Carolyn Sterke recorded the daily drug use and records of falls in 248 nursing home residents over a two-year period. The average age of the residents was 82, and the records suggested that 152 of them had suffered a total of 683 falls. The consequences of falls were relatively high, with 220 resulting in injuries including hip fractures and other broken bones - and one resident died following a fall. The risk of having an injury-causing fall was three times higher in residents taking SSRIs compared with those not taking the drug, and this risk rose further if the patient was being given sedative drugs as well. Dr Sterke said that these risks needed to be taken into account when assessing whether anti-depressants were required. She said: "Physicians should be cautious in prescribing SSRIs to older people with dementia, even at low doses." Professor Clive Ballard, from the Alzheimer's Society, said it was "worrying" that such a commonly prescribed anti-depressant was causing increased risk. He said: "It is important to highlight any aspect of care that might be causing risk to a person with dementia. We want to ensure that people with the condition are always receiving the best care possible. "More research is now needed to understand why this anti-depressant is having this effect on people with dementia and if there is an alternative treatment for depression that they could be prescribed. "One in three people over 65 will die with dementia yet research into the condition continues to be drastically underfunded. We must invest now.'  

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

depression drugs ‘causing falls’ depression drugs ‘causing falls’

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

depression drugs ‘causing falls’ depression drugs ‘causing falls’

 



GMT 03:07 2017 Wednesday ,25 January

Health care veterans, pioneers awarded

GMT 05:44 2017 Saturday ,11 November

Business as usual as Hamilton dominates Brazil practice

GMT 11:08 2018 Thursday ,25 October

Russia to be at very high level at conference on Libya

GMT 15:00 2012 Saturday ,21 April

Nelly Karim: Egypt akin to \'Hiya Fawda\'

GMT 03:02 2018 Saturday ,20 January

Egypt's President Sisi says will stand for re-election

GMT 00:51 2017 Tuesday ,24 October

HH the Emir Meets Foreign Minister of Kuwait

GMT 05:42 2017 Saturday ,02 September

64 dead in clashes in Raqa province

GMT 00:08 2017 Sunday ,05 March

Desperate migrants escape Libya 'hell'

GMT 19:24 2016 Saturday ,12 November

Israeli air forces attack Syrian position in Qunaitera
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday