If you are NOT being treated for psychosis, use Antipsychotics WITH CAUTION They can cause confusion, blurred vision, constipation, problems urinating, and dry mouth. AVOID OTC sleep products, like Tylenol PM, which contain antihistamines such as diphenhydramine.Īlthough these medications are sold without a prescription, they are not risk- free.These medications are often included in OTC remedies for coughs, colds, and allergies. AVOID products that contain the antihistamines diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine (AllerChlor, Chlor-Trimeton).It can increase the risk of seizures and can cause confusion.ĪVOID Certain Over-the-Counter (OTC) Products They can cause confusion, constipation, dry mouth, blurry vision, and problems urinating (in men).ĪVOID the Pain Reliever Meperidine (Demerol) Irritable bowel syndrome drug dicyclomine (Bentyl).Anti-Parkinson drug trihexyphenidyl (Artane).Antidepressants amitriptyline (Elavil) and imipramine (Tofranil).Because it takes your body a long time to get rid of these drugs, these effects can carry into the day after you take the medication. They can increase your risk of falls, as well as cause confusion. Sleeping pills such as zaleplon (Sonata), zolpidem (Ambien), and eszopiclone (Lunesta).Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), or chlordiazepoxide (Librium).Plus, there is little evidence that they work well.ĪVOID Certain Medications used for Anxiety and/or Insomnia They can leave you feeling groggy and confused, increase your risk of falls, and cause constipation, dry mouth, and problems urinating. Such as cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), methocarbamol (Robaxin), carisoprodol (Soma), and similar medications.These can cause dangerously low blood sugar. Glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase) and chlorpropamide (Diabinese).It can be toxic in older adults and people whose kidneys do not work well. Be particularly careful if you have moderate or severe kidney problems.Higher doses increase toxicity and provide little additional benefit. Avoid doses higher than 0.125 mg per day.

For most older adults, other medications are safer and more effective.They can also increase blood pressure, affect your kidneys, and make heart failure worse.ĭigoxin is used to treat heart failure and irregular heartbeats. Also use special caution if you have kidney problems or heart failure.Those at higher risk include people more than 75 years old, people taking oral steroids, and people taking a blood-thinning medication such as apixaban (Eliquis), aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dabigatran (Pradaxa), edoxaban (Savaysa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), or warfarin (Coumadin). Use special caution if you are at higher risk of developing bleeding stomach ulcers.When good alternatives are not available and NSAIDs are necessary, use a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole (Prilosec) or misoprostol (Cytotec) to reduce bleeding risk.NSAIDs are used to reduce pain and inflammation. USE WITH CAUTION NonSteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Do not stop taking any medication without first talking to your healthcare provider. If you are taking any of these medications, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Sonata medication