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Common Drugs Overused in Older Adults, New Reports Show
Confirmed
In Short: New findings suggest that benzodiazepines and 'Z' drugs may be overprescribed to older adults, increasing their risk of falls and accidents, according to Kffhealthnews.
It might be added to the Beers Criteria, an influential list of potentially inappropriate medications for older patients, published by the American Geriatrics Society, according to new reports from Kffhealthnews.
Benzodiazepines (including Valium, Xanax, and Ativan) and the related 'Z' drugs (Ambien, Lunesta) 'may impair balance, coordination, and cognition that can translate into falls and fractures and motor vehicle accidents,' Dr. Olfson said, as reported by Kffhealthnews.
The scenario often unfolds like this: Medical researchers investigate a frequently used drug and report that it's less effective for older patients than previously thought, or that its risks outweigh its benefits in older adults, according to Kffhealthnews.
The growing population of older adults living with HIV presents both clinical and social challenges, as noted by Medscape. By 2025, an estimated 11.5 million individuals aged 50 years or older will be living with HIV, accounting for 29% of the global population living with HIV.
What's confirmed
- It might be added to the Beers Criteria, an influential list of potentially inappropriate medications for older patients, published by the American Geriatrics Society, according to new reports from Kffhealthnews.
- Benzodiazepines (including Valium, Xanax, and Ativan) and the related 'Z' drugs (Ambien, Lunesta) 'may impair balance, coordination, and cognition that can translate into falls and fractures and motor vehicle accidents,' Dr. Olfson said, as reported by Kffhealthnews.
- The scenario often unfolds like this: Medical researchers investigate a frequently used drug and report that it's less effective for older patients than previously thought, or that its risks outweigh its benefits in older adults, according to Kffhealthnews.
- The growing population of older adults living with HIV presents both clinical and social challenges, as noted by Medscape. By 2025, an estimated 11.5 million individuals aged 50 years or older will be living with HIV, accounting for 29% of the global population living with HIV.
What's still developing
- More individuals are reaching an older age with HIV, creating new challenges for clinicians who must manage the long-term effects of HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART) alongside multimorbidity, functional decline, and the social challenges of aging.
- “Older individuals at risk for HIV or living with HIV face unique challenges, such as combined stigma from age and HIV status, yet are often assumed to be at low risk for HIV,” wrote the report’s authors, led by Amy C.
- 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.
- Nearly all older adults (96%) are expected to live in low-income and middle-income countries.
- Older adults living with HIV also commonly have multiple coexisting conditions or multimorbidity, which can complicate their care.