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Falls Prevention: Tips to Prevent Falls
Check Your Medication

​Facts on Medication and Falls:

  • "Medication use is potentially the most modifiable risk factor for falls..." - Tinetti, 1995
  • Some medications increase your risk of falling either on their own or when two or more are combined. As you age, the way some medications affect you and can increase your risk of falling.
  • medications that help you relax, help you sleep, or improve your mood can increase your risk of falling.
  • Alcohol can affect medication and balance.

What you can do:

  • Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medication at least once each year.
  • Write down the names of all the medications you are taking and keep it in your wallet.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the over-the-counter pills, supplements, herbal products, vitamins and home remedies that you are using.
  • Take your medications as prescribed.
  • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any side effects from your medication. They may be able to adjust your dose or suggest a different medication that works better for you.
  • Ask these questions when you get a new medicine:
    • What is the name of the medication and what does it do?
    • How do I take it and for how long?
    • What are the side effects and what should I do if I get any?
    • Will this medicine interact with any other medicines that I am taking?
    • What food, drinks or other medicine should I avoid when I take this medicine?
    • Do you have written information about the medicine I can read at home?

Tell your doctor or health care provider if you have had a fall.

Last Modified: Tuesday, October 28, 2014 |
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