Have you noticed recently that mom seems confused?

An abrupt onset of confusion can be caused by many things. Don’t overlook medications!

Suddenly, she is saying or doing things that just don’t make sense. Does she have dementia or a new medical issue? Those are important things to consider, but don’t forget to review her medications—both prescribed and over-the-counter. Beneficial medications can sometimes cause confusion, especially in the elderly. Why? Sometimes it has to do with the the dosage level. Older persons may require specialized dosages of medication because of reduced metabolism or chronic illness. Confusion can also be caused by a particular combination of medications.

Coordinate Medicines and Supplements

Adjusting dosages based on age and medical condition is very important. Patients should be encouraged to discuss all of their medications, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements with their doctor and/or pharmacist. It’s important to realize that in those of advanced age, drug-induced confusion can occur even with nontoxic or therapeutic levels of a medication. To help prevent this issue, always take a list of anything you are taking to each doctors’ visit, use the same pharmacy for all prescriptions, and be sure to ask the doctor or pharmacist about potential side effects of new medicines.

Certain classes of medication that have been proven to be more of a risk for causing confusion and changes in mental status in the elderly. They are:

• Antiparkinsonian— taken by patients with Parkinson’s Disease
• Corticosteroids—commonly known as steroids
• Urologic—relieves intestinal spasms (examples – oxybutynin and tolterodine)
• Theophylline—used to make breathing easier (as in those with COPD, asthma)
• Emesis—used to treat vomiting & nausea
• Cardiac—used to treat heart disease
  
• H2 blockers—used to treat heart burn & peptic ulcers
• Anticholingergics—used to treat a variety of conditions
  
• NSAIDs—anti-inflammatory pain relievers (Tylenol, Motrin, Advil, Aleve are over-the-counter brands)
• Geropsychotropic—used to treat mental conditions
  
• EtOH—Abbreviation for ethyl alcohol, representing alcohol in medications or alcohol consumed with certain medications
• Insomnia—medications both over-the-counter and prescribed to treat sleeplessness
  
• Narcotics—used fpr severe pain
  
• Muscle relaxants—used to relieve muscle spasms
  
• Seizure—medicines used to treat or stop seizures
  

Right about now, you may be thinking, “Doesn’t this list cover just about everything?” It does cover quite a lot, which is why it is so important to speak with your doctor and pharmacist to make sure your medications can safely be taken together.