The effects in older persons are drowsiness, loss of coordination, and confusion. This can result in falls or auto accidents. Older people are especially at risk for several reasons. First, the physiological changes of aging increase the risk for medication problems.
Experts agree that medication effects in older people are often different than in young people.
And, as a group, older people are more likely to suffer from multiple chronic diseases, requiring several different medications at one time. The more drugs one takes, the higher the risk for problems with drug interactions. Yet, little information or labeling exists on these remedies to let older people, who want to self-medicate, know how these products may complicate their condition or interact with other medications. A good example is when an older man with an enlarged prostate develops acute urinary retention after taking an antihistamine or a decongestant. One of the solutions to this enormous problem is to train health care professionals and assist them in becoming more knowledgeable about geriatrics and the clinical use of medications in the elder population.