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Common Drugs Overused in Older Adults, New Reports Show
Confirmed
In Short: New reports highlight the overuse of certain drugs among older adults, including benzodiazepines and HIV medications.
Medical researchers are increasingly finding that commonly prescribed drugs may be less effective or more risky for older patients than previously thought, according to new reports from Kffhealthnews and Medscape.
Benzodiazepines and related 'Z' drugs, such as Valium, Xanax, and Ambien, are being scrutinized for their potential to impair balance, coordination, and cognition in older adults, leading to falls, fractures, and accidents, says Mark Olfson, quoted in Kffhealthnews.
The scenario often begins with a drug investigation revealing that its benefits for older patients do not outweigh its risks, leading to potential additions to the Beers Criteria, an influential list of medications that may be inappropriate for older patients.
As more individuals are living longer with HIV, clinicians face new challenges in managing the long-term effects of HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART) alongside other health issues common in older adults, according to a report in Medscape.
Older individuals with HIV often face combined stigma from age and HIV status, leading to delays in treatment and reluctance to disclose sexual activity, which can be particularly true for those who are not heterosexual.
By 2025, an estimated 11.5 million individuals aged 50 years or older will be living with HIV, presenting both clinical and social challenges, especially in low-income and middle-income countries where nearly all older adults are expected to live.
What's confirmed
- Medical researchers are increasingly finding that commonly prescribed drugs may be less effective or more risky for older patients than previously thought, according to new reports from Kffhealthnews and Medscape.
- Benzodiazepines and related 'Z' drugs, such as Valium, Xanax, and Ambien, are being scrutinized for their potential to impair balance, coordination, and cognition in older adults, leading to falls, fractures, and accidents, says Mark Olfson, quoted in Kffhealthnews.
- The scenario often begins with a drug investigation revealing that its benefits for older patients do not outweigh its risks, leading to potential additions to the Beers Criteria, an influential list of medications that may be inappropriate for older patients.
- As more individuals are living longer with HIV, clinicians face new challenges in managing the long-term effects of HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART) alongside other health issues common in older adults, according to a report in Medscape.
- Older individuals with HIV often face combined stigma from age and HIV status, leading to delays in treatment and reluctance to disclose sexual activity, which can be particularly true for those who are not heterosexual.
- By 2025, an estimated 11.5 million individuals aged 50 years or older will be living with HIV, presenting both clinical and social challenges, especially in low-income and middle-income countries where nearly all older adults are expected to live.
What's still developing
- The authors also noted that an increasing proportion of individuals newly diagnosed with HIV are aged 50 years or older and that treatment is often delayed in this group.
- “Although sexual activity has important physical functioning, mental, social, and cultural implications for people of all ages, there remain ageist stereotypes, stigma, and myths about sexuality among older individuals. These notions include that, regardless of sexual orientation, older people do not have sex and, if they do, it is comical or disgusting. As a result, older people might hesitate to disclose sexual activity, which can be particularly true for older people who are not heterosexual, as they might fear additional stigma,” the authors wrote.
- Older adults living with HIV also commonly have multiple coexisting conditions or multimorbidity, which can complicate their care.