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Antidepressants Linked to Falls
Posted on Wed, August 3, 2011 at 10:16 pm
According to a recently published study in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, nursing home residents had a five fold increased risk of falls if they started to take non-SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants (i.e., bupropion or venlafaxine) or if their dosage of this medication increased. The risk of falls is greatest in the first two days that the senior begins taking the antidepressant (or increased dosage). Beyond day two, the risk of falls decreases.
The author of the study, Dr. Sarah Berry stated that ``nursing home staff should keep a watchful eye on residents in the days following a non-SSRI antidepressant change to prevent falls and clinicians should avoid making changes on weekends or during times when unfamiliar staff is present``. She also noted that 30% of 1.6 million nursing home residents in the United States take some form of antidepressant.
If you know that your loved one has had a change in their non-SSRI anitdepressant medication (if you are the Power of Attorney for Care the staff should advise you of this change without you having to ask), speak with the nursing staff and advise them of this new finding so that they can properly monitor your loved one.
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