Some Medications That Impact the Risk of Falls and Injuries

Aminoglycosides

Direct vestibular damage

Increases fall risk

—

Analgesics (especially opioids)

Alertness or slow central processing

Increases fall risk

—

Antiarrhythmics

Impaired cerebral perfusion

Increases fall risk

—

Anticoagulants

Increase bleeding risk

—

Negative impact injury potential

Anticholinergics

Confusion/delirium

Increases fall risk

—

Antihypertensives (especially vasodilators)

Impaired cerebral perfusion

Increases fall risk

—

Antipsychotics

Extrapyramidal syndromes, other antiadrenergic effects, reduced alertness, or slow central processing

Increases fall risk

—

Diuretics (especially when patients are dehydrated)

Impaired cerebral perfusion

Increases fall risk

—

Psychoactive medications (especially antidepressants, antipsychotics, and benzodiazepines)

Reduced alertness or slow central processing

Increases fall risk

—

Osteoporosis treatments (calcium, vitamin D, bisphosphates and related medications)Osteoporosis treatments (calcium, vitamin D, bisphosphates and related medications)

Improve bone density

—

Reduces injury potential