Inappropriate Medications and Risk of Falls in Older Adults

Among older adults, potentially inappropriate medications have been associated with an increased risk of falls and hip fractures (a proxy measure for serious falls). In addition to the medications listed in other chapters in this book, skeletal muscle relaxants (SMR), antiepileptic drugs (AED), opioids, and combinations of medications affecting the central nervous system (CNS) have been shown to increase the risk of serious falls. Moreover, this increased risk is even more pronounced among older adults with a previous history of falls and hip fractures. This chapter will summarize literature highlighting the specific risks of these medications, with an emphasis on rigorously designed observational studies.