Q. My husband sometimes tells me that he feels dizzy. He recently started a new medication, and I am wondering if that is to blame. I keep telling him to call his doctor, but he says he’s fine. Am I overreacting?
A. You’re not overreacting. Some medications can cause dizziness, which may increase the risk of falling. Your husband should check in with his doctor or pharmacist about this or any other new or unusual symptoms.
As we recognize National Falls Prevention Week, September 22-26, the National Council on Aging has the following tips for preventing falls caused by medications.
- Take prescriptions only as prescribed. Follow medication instructions on when to take, how often, how much, and with or without food. Do NOT skip doses, take multiple doses, or take any medications that were not prescribed to you.
2. Keep a list of your medications. Keep an up-to-date list of all your medications, including prescriptions (those taken by mouth, applied to the skin, eye drops, and injectables), over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, and vitamins and minerals.
3. Set reminders for a medication review. Bring your medication list to your doctor or local pharmacist, have them reviewed, and ask questions about your medicines. Make sure to get your medications reviewed at least once a year, if a new medication is added, or if your health changes.
4. Report side effects. Some medications can cause side effects that make you dizzy, sleepy during the day or confused. They may cause you to urinate more often and can even affect coordination in your legs. Talk with your doctor if you are experiencing these problems.
5. Stick to one pharmacy. Using one pharmacy will keep you safer as the pharmacist tracks all the medicines you are taking. They can contact your doctor if they identify any medicines that do not work well together, that may be similar to another medication you are taking, or too high a dose.
Dizziness should never be ignored, especially with new medications. By staying alert to side effects and checking in with a doctor or pharmacist, you and your husband can feel confident about his safety and well-being.
For more information about falls prevention, visit the National Council on Aging website at www.ncoa.org/FallsPrevention. AgeSpan’s Healthy Living Center also has many resources for older adults and caregivers on falls education and prevention. You can learn more on our website: healthyliving4me.org.
Are you caring for an older adult or need help finding healthy aging resources? Our experienced staff is available to help. Visit us online at www.agespan.org. You can also call 800-892-0890 or email info@agespan.org.
Joan Hatem-Roy is the chief executive officer of AgeSpan, which serves the following cities and towns: Amesbury, Andover, Billerica, Boxford, Chelmsford, Danvers, Dracut, Dunstable, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Marblehead, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleton, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Peabody, Rowley, Salisbury, Salem, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Westford, and West Newbury.
First published in the Eagle-Tribune.
