(Adapted with permission from Table I in Cameron, K.A., and Richardson, A.W. (2001) "A Guide to Medication and Aging." Generations 24:14-20)
Disease/
Condition
|
Medications
|
Alert
|
|
Heart Failure
|
disopyramide*
|
Negative inotrope (weakens the pumping of the heart) and so may worsen heart failure
|
|
|
Drugs with high sodium content
|
Large amounts of sodium lead to fluid retention. May worsen heart failure
|
|
Diabetes
|
Beta blockers
limited to diabetics taking oral hypoglycemics or insulin
|
May block hypoglycemic symptoms in diabetics on treatment with insulin or an oral hypoglycemic drug
|
|
|
Corticosteroids
|
May worsen diabetic control
|
|
Hypertension/ high blood pressure
|
Diet pills*, amphetamines*
|
May elevate blood pressure
|
|
COPD/respiratory or lung diseases
|
Beta blockers*
|
May worsen respiratory function in persons with COPD
|
|
|
Sedative/hypnotics*
|
May slow respirations and increase CO2 retention in persons with COPD
|
|
Asthma
|
Beta blockers*
|
May worsen respiratory function in persons with COPD or asthma (COPD is somewhat controversial as to the use of beta blockers)
|
|
Ulcers
|
NSAIDs*
|
May worsen ulcer disease, gastritis and GERD
|
|
|
ASA
above 325 mg
|
May worsen ulcer disease, gastritis and GERD
|
|
|
Potassium supplements (all)
|
May cause gastric irritation with symptoms similar to ulcer disease
|
|
Seizures/epilepsy
|
bupropion, thorazine, thioridazine, chlorprothixene
|
Make seizures more likely
|
|
|
metoclopramide*
|
May worsen blood flow through small arteries and precipitate claudication
|
|
Peripheral vascular disease
|
Beta blockers*
|
May worsen blood flow through small arteries and precipitate claudication
|
Blood-clotting disorders
(only those on anticoagulant therapy)
|
ASA*
|
May cause bleeding in those using anticoagulants
|
|
|
NSAIDs*
|
May cause bleeding in those using anticoagulants
|
|
|
dipyridamole* and ticlopidine*
|
May cause bleeding in those using anticoagulants
|
|
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
|
Anticholinergic antihistamines*
|
Anticholinergic drugs may impair urination and cause obstruction in persons with BPH
|
|
|
GI antispasmodics*
|
Anticholinergic drugs may impair urination and cause obstruction in persons with BPH
|
|
|
Muscle relaxants
|
Anticholinergic drugs may impair urination and cause obstruction in persons with BPH
|
|
|
Narcotics (including propoxyphene)
|
Narcotics may impair urination and cause obstruction in persons with BPH
|
|
|
flavoxate, oxybutynin
|
Bladder relaxants may impair the ability to urinate in persons with BPH
|
|
|
Bethanechol
|
Anticholinergic bladder relaxants impair the ability to urinate in persons with BPH
|
|
|
Anticholinergic antidepressants*
|
Anticholinergic drugs may impair the ability to urinate in persons with BPH
|
|
Incontinence
|
Alpha blockers
|
Alpha blockers relax the external bladder sphincter and may cause incontinence
|
|
Constipation
|
Anticholinergics
|
Will worsen constipation
|
|
|
Narcotics
|
Will worsen constipation
|
|
|
Tricyclic antidepressants*
|
May worsen constipation
|
|
Syncope or falls
|
Beta blockers
|
Slow the heart and weaken the pumping action of the heart. May precipitate syncope (fainting) in susceptible persons
|
|
|
All benzodiazepines
|
May contribute to falls due to sedation, confusion and other side effects
|
|
Arrhythmias
|
Tricyclic antidepressants*
|
May induce arrhythmias
|
|
Insomnia
|
Decongestants
|
May cause or worsen insomnia
|
|
|
Theophylline
|
May cause or worsen insomnia
|
|
|
desipramine, SSRIs, methylphenidate, MAOIs
|
May cause or worsen insomnia
|
|
|
Beta agonists
|
May cause or worsen insomnia
|
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