Consumer Reports has published a valuable article identifying common prescription drugs that can be dangerous for older patients. Healthcare consumers over age 65 are more than twice as likely to suffer from adverse drug reactions; the publication lists the following drugs as posing a high enough risk that they should be avoided if possible:
- Antianxiety drugs
- Antidepressants
- Antihistamines
- High blood pressure and enlarged prostate drugs
- Pain relievers
- Sleeping pills
- Stomach drugs
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Limbitrol); diazepam (Valium); quazepam (Doral)
Recommended alternatives: alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam (Serax)
Amitriptyline, doxepin (Sinequan) and Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Recommended alternatives: citalopram (Celexa), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft)
Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton); diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Recommended alternatives: Cetirizine (Zyrtec); fexofenadine (Allegra); loratadine (Claritin)
Doxazosin (Cardura); prazosin (Minipress); terazosin (Hytrin)
Recommended alternatives: Diuretics for high blood pressure; tamsulosin (Flomax) for enlarged prostate.
Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); oxaprozin (Daypro); piroxicam (Feldene); Meperidine (Demerol)
Recommended alternatives: acetaminophen (Tylenol); ibuprofen (Advil ); capsaicin cream (Zostrix); morphine
Barbituates (Butisol, Nembutal, Seconal); diphenhydramine (Sominex); flurazepam (Dalmane)
Recommended alternatives: zaleplon (Sonata) and zolpidem (Ambien)
Bisacodyl (Dulcolax); Diphenoxylate (Lomotil)
Recommended alternatives: Increased intake of fiber and fluids; change in diet; loperamide (Imodium AD)
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