Fall Risk Medications for Seniors: Which Drugs Increase Injury Risk?
- by Simon Bruce
- Oct, 26 2025
Learn which drugs raise fall risk for seniors, see risk percentages, and get practical steps to stop, switch, or reduce these medications.
Read MoreDeprescribing Seniors
When working with deprescribing seniors, the systematic process of tapering or stopping medications that are no longer needed or may cause harm in older adults. Also known as medication deprescription, it helps improve safety and quality of life. In many cases the trigger is polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications concurrently, often seen in older patients, which raises the risk of falls, confusion, and hospital visits. The first step toward a smoother medication list is a thorough medication review, a comprehensive assessment of all drugs a patient takes, checking for necessity, dosage, and interactions. By matching each drug against the patient's current health goals, clinicians can spot redundancies and unsafe combos. The result is a clearer prescription profile, fewer adverse drug reactions, and a better chance for seniors to stay independent.
Why deprescribing matters for older adults
One of the most trusted guides in this process is Beers Criteria, a list of potentially inappropriate medications for older adults, used to guide safer prescribing. The criteria flag drugs that linger in the market but pose high risks for dizziness, kidney stress, or cognitive decline. Pairing Beers with an understanding of age‑related pharmacokinetics—how metabolism slows and drug clearance changes—lets clinicians predict which meds are likely to build up to toxic levels. When a drug is flagged, the next move is a shared decision with the patient: discuss benefits, weigh side effects, and plan a taper if needed. This conversation reduces anxiety, respects patient autonomy, and often uncovers simple alternatives that achieve the same therapeutic goal with less burden.
Putting these pieces together—recognizing polypharmacy, running a medication review, consulting Beers Criteria, and accounting for altered drug processing—creates a solid framework for safe deprescribing. The articles below dive into real‑world examples: how to assess trazodone use in sleep, handle efavirenz‑related blood pressure spikes, or replace clindamycin when treating Helicobacter pylori. Each post offers actionable tips, dosage guidance, and warning signs to watch for as you trim down a senior’s drug list. Whether you’re a pharmacist, physician, or caregiver, you’ll find practical tools that turn theory into everyday practice. Below, explore the curated collection and start building a safer, simpler medication regimen for the seniors in your care.
