Medications & More

Safely managing our medications can increase our falls resiliency and help us stay steady as we age.

Some medicines can cause side effects such as dizziness, sleepiness, or low blood pressure, which can increase our risk of falling. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to review your prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements at least once a year, or whenever a medicine is added, stopped, or changed. You can also schedule a medication review to ask questions and talk about any concerns you have. Ask: “Could this medication increase my risk of falling?” Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about the benefits, and possible side effects or interactions of your medicines. Never stop taking a medication on your own.

Some medicines that may increase our risk of falling include sleeping pills, medicines for anxiety or depression, and medicines that can lower blood pressure quickly. Taking four or more different medicines regularly may also increase your risk. A medication review can help you understand your medicines and take steps to stay safe, mobile, and independent.

Learn more about medications and falls risk from Craig Smith, Registered Pharmacist

Managing Medications Safely

Safely managing our medications can help us reduce our risk of falls. Consider:

  • Know when, how, and how much of each medication to take.

  • Use a pillbox to keep track of the medicines you need to take each day. There are many options, including some that have boxes for AM and PM. Or ask your pharmacist for a “blister” pack, which puts all of the pills you need in one packet for each time of the day that you take your medications.

  • Avoid foods, alcohol, and other medications that can interact with your prescribed medications. This includes over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements.

  • Don’t take anyone else’s medications.

  • Start taking a new medication or a higher dose of a medication (as prescribed) when you know you aren’t going to be busy. If you live alone, start it when you know someone is likely to be around. Give yourself time to adjust to the changes.

  • Move slowly and pause before you get out of bed or a chair.

  • Have your provider or pharmacist review your medications regularly. Even if you have taken the same medication for years, our bodies and health needs can change as we age. In some cases, we may be able to take a lower dose that works just as well and may be safer.

  • If you do fall, report it to your provider and pharmacist and talk about whether your medications could have contributed to the fall.  

  • Talk to your provider, pharmacist, or a specialist about managing certain conditions (such as sleep problems or anxiety) without medications, if possible.

Pay attention to changes in how you feel. Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, unusually tired, weak, or unsteady, or noticing changes in your vision, having trouble thinking clearly, or a sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand up may be related to your medications. These symptoms can also happen when a medication is changed or as our bodies process medications differently with age. Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you notice these changes. They may be able to adjust your dose, change the timing, or suggest a different medication. Never stop taking a medication on your own.

Calcium & Vitamin D

Getting enough vitamin D and calcium can help reduce bone loss as we age. The best source of vitamin D is sunlight! Though, with our cold and cloudy Wisconsin winters, it can be difficult to get enough vitamin D from the sun year-round. Both vitamin D and calcium can be found in the foods we eat, but a supplement may be needed. However, vitamin D and calcium supplements may interact with certain medications. Be sure to talk to your provider or pharmacist about possible interactions between your medications and these supplements and discuss what dosage you should take. You may also consider talking to a dietician about the foods you eat and how your diet can impact your bone health. 

Alcohol & Other Substances

Just like alcohol and other substances can increase the risk of a car crash, they can also increase the risk of a fall. As we age, our bodies may respond to alcohol differently, and we may feel its effects more quickly. Alcohol can affect balance, coordination, and reaction time, making it harder to stay steady on our feet. It can also interact with some medications and increase side effects like dizziness or sleepiness. Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about the medications you take and whether it’s safe to drink alcohol while taking them. Other substances, such as marijuana, can also affect balance, coordination, and judgement and may interact with certain medications.

Be aware of how our bodies change as we age. Think about how alcohol, medications, and other substances may affect our balance and increase our risk of falling. Making safe choices can help us stay mobile and independent.

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