Inappropriate Use of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants in Geriatric Patients
Inappropriate Use of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants in Geriatric Patients
SOURCE: U. S. Pharmacist 2020 (Jan 21); 45 (1): 25–29
Caressa Trueman, PharmD, RPh, Shana Castillo, PharmD, RPh
Karen K. O’Brien, BS Pharm, PharmD, RPh, Eric Hoie, PharmD, RPh
Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions
Omaha, Nebraska
Falls in geriatric patients cost the United States billions of dollars each year and contribute to morbidity and mortality in this population. Polypharmacy can significantly contribute to the fall risk, especially those medications that are on the Beers Criteria list. Skeletal muscle relaxants are on this list, and an increased risk of falls is associated with their use. These medications are inappropriately used as an alternative to conventional pain medications and can be as harmful as opioids in the geriatric population. Education of patients and prescribers is necessary in order to prevent inappropriate muscle-relaxant use and to lessen the risk of falls.
In the United States, an estimated 29 million falls occurred in 46 million people older than age 65 years in 2014, and 7 million of those falls resulted in injuries. [1] In 2015, estimated medical costs related to fatal and nonfatal falls totaled more than $49 billion. [2]
There are more articles like this @ our:
LOW BACK PAIN Page and the: