Trial lowers high-risk drug orders for seniors on as-needed basis
By
Kristen Fischer
Mar 11, 2024
Researchers tested a simulation to train doctors on prescribing high-risk medications to hospitalized older adults despite recommendations to avoid the drugs. The intervention didn’t affect high-risk...
Delirium affected more older adults during pandemic, study finds
By
Kristen Fischer
Aug 10, 2023
More hospitalized older adults experienced incidents of delirium during the pandemic than before it, a new study shows. The heightened prevalence was tied to more antipsychotic and benzodiazepine medication...
Dementia in older adults linked to benzodiazepines, study shows
By
Kristen Fischer
Aug 09, 2023
People 65 and older who were diagnosed with anxiety have a higher risk for being diagnosed with dementia. And they’re more apt to receive a dementia diagnosis if they take a benzodiazepine, new research...
U.S. hospices lack standard for benzodiazepines, antipsychotics use: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 28, 2023
Investigators have found significant variation in what is considered clinically appropriate use of these drugs for the U.S. hospice population.
Use of common hospice drugs varies widely by state, highlighting limited guidance
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 16, 2022
Antipsychotics prescribing rates, for example, ranged from 62% for hospice beneficiaries in Oregon to 15% in Oklahoma, investigators say. Five states topped the prescriptions list.
Alternatives to antipsychotics can create new dangers, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
Jun 01, 2022
Fewer residents with dementia now receive off-label antipsychotic drugs in VA nursing facilities. But overreliance on other behavior-modifying medications has spiked, a new study finds.
Delirium present in 60 percent of residents’ acute illnesses, but tricky to diagnose: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 15, 2021
Delirium may accompany 60% of the acute illnesses and adverse health events that occur commonly among residents, investigators say. Along with infections, regular use of benzodiazepines was linked to the...
Nearly all seniors are now prescribed drugs tied to falls: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 17, 2021
The percentage of older adults prescribed drugs that increase falls risk shot from 57% to 94% over almost two decades, researchers say. And fall-related deaths have more than doubled at the same time.
Trio is trouble in assisted living: Risky neuro drug combos too common, dementia expert says
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 11, 2021
Fully one in seven people with dementia who do not live in nursing homes are taking at least three drugs that act on the central nervous system — beyond the advised limit, a new study finds.
FDA requires abuse warning on Xanax, Valium labels
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 25, 2020
Benzodiazepine drug labels must now display the FDA’s most serious “boxed warning” following growing reports of sedative abuse, the agency announced Thursday.