Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests drugs known to have anticholinergic properties are an important safety concern in frail older patients and are known to cause cognitive and physical impairment.1,2,3 Prevalent medications such as antimuscarinics, psychotropic drugs and antihistamines amongst others have been demonstrated to possess anticholinergic activity.4 These drugs are commonly used for conditions such as urinary incontinence, behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and vertigo.
Anticholinergic agents block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the peripheral and central nervous systems, resulting in inhibition of parasympathetic nerve impulses causing delirium, constipation, dry mouth and agitation.5 Although useful in conditions such as those highlighted above, adverse outcomes such as falls, cognitive decline, delirium and increased mortality are frequently overlooked and underestimated by prescribers.6 Unwanted anticholinergic activity is often referred to as ‘burden’ and interventions to reduce this burden may provide benefit.
Anticholinergic agents block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the peripheral and central nervous systems, resulting in inhibition of parasympathetic nerve impulses causing delirium, constipation, dry mouth and agitation.5 Although useful in conditions such as those highlighted above, adverse outcomes such as falls, cognitive decline, delirium and increased mortality are frequently overlooked and underestimated by prescribers.6 Unwanted anticholinergic activity is often referred to as ‘burden’ and interventions to reduce this burden may provide benefit.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 943-947 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Geriatric Nursing |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 12 Jun 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2021 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Geriatric Nursing. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Geriatric Nursing, 42:4, (2021) DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.04.029© 2021, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gerontology