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Common Drugs May Be Overused in Older Adults
Confirmed
In Short: Medical researchers are investigating the overuse of certain drugs among older adults, suggesting that benzodiazepines and HIV medications may pose significant risks.
According to the American Geriatrics Society, benzodiazepines like Valium, Xanax, and Ativan, as well as related 'Z' drugs such as Ambien and Lunesta, may impair balance, coordination, and cognition, leading to falls, fractures, and motor vehicle accidents.
The scenario often begins with medical researchers discovering that a commonly used drug is less effective for older patients or that its risks outweigh its benefits.
Aging individuals with HIV face unique challenges, including combined stigma from age and HIV status, and delayed treatment, particularly among those aged 50 or older.
The report's authors note that older individuals living with HIV often hesitate to disclose sexual activity due to ageist stereotypes and stigma, complicating their care.
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.
Nearly all older adults (96%) are expected to live in low-income and middle-income countries, presenting both clinical and social challenges.
Older adults living with HIV commonly have multiple coexisting conditions, complicating their care and treatment.
Healthcare providers and family members should be vigilant about changes in an older person’s routine, as symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, and difficulty carrying out daily activities can be early warning signs of serious conditions.
What this adds
This report adds new insights into the challenges faced by older adults with HIV and the potential risks of overusing certain medications, expanding on prior WarpBeat coverage of drug overuse in older adults.
Background
New reports highlight the overuse of certain drugs among older adults, including benzodiazepines and HIV medications.
What's confirmed
- According to the American Geriatrics Society, benzodiazepines like Valium, Xanax, and Ativan, as well as related 'Z' drugs such as Ambien and Lunesta, may impair balance, coordination, and cognition, leading to falls, fractures, and motor vehicle accidents.
- The scenario often begins with medical researchers discovering that a commonly used drug is less effective for older patients or that its risks outweigh its benefits.
- Aging individuals with HIV face unique challenges, including combined stigma from age and HIV status, and delayed treatment, particularly among those aged 50 or older.
- The report's authors note that older individuals living with HIV often hesitate to disclose sexual activity due to ageist stereotypes and stigma, complicating their care.
- 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.
- Nearly all older adults (96%) are expected to live in low-income and middle-income countries, presenting both clinical and social challenges.
- Older adults living with HIV commonly have multiple coexisting conditions, complicating their care and treatment.
- Healthcare providers and family members should be vigilant about changes in an older person’s routine, as symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, and difficulty carrying out daily activities can be early warning signs of serious conditions.
What's still developing
- It might be added to the Beers Criteria, an influential list of potentially inappropriate medications for older patients, published by the American Geriatrics Society.
- 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.
- “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.
- “Isolation, neglect, and inadequate family support can significantly delay healthcare-seeking behaviour among older adults, particularly those who have become financially dependent,” Parteep, COO, HelpAge India tells indianexpress.com.
- Getting tired more easily, feeling breathless after a short walk or slowing down physically can seem like an inevitable part of getting older.
- But a new or noticeable change from an older person’s usual routine deserves attention.
- “Some older adults may also experience disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, or difficulty carrying out routine daily activities.” These symptoms can sometimes be early warning signs of heart failure, blocked arteries, valve disease or other cardiovascular conditions.