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Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls

Manage Your Medications

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Medications 2 Medications 3
  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Medications include prescriptions, over-the-counter pills, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
  • Medications that help you relax, sleep, or improve your mood can increase your risk of falling.
  • Some medications may cause a drop in blood pressure which can incr​ease your risk of falling (See Managing Blood Pressure)
  • Watch out for cold and flu medications you buy over-the-counter as some can make you drowsy.

Learn more about cold and flu medication (video)

cold-and-flu

Take Action

  • Ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse practitioner to check all your medications at least once a year. They can help make sure you are taking only what you need.
  • If your medications make you drowsy or dizzy, tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse practitioner. They can sometimes prescribe a different medication that does not have those side effects.
  • Talk about possible interactions of alcohol and medications. Alcohol and medications increase your risk of falling.
  • Never take anyone else’s medications.
  • If you have questions about how to take your medications, talk to your healthcare provider. Be sure to ask about the effect of a new medication on food or other medications.
  • If you take medications for diabetes, talk to your doctor about how to manage your blood sugar overnight.

Watch this video to learn more about taking medications safely.

taking-medication

Resources

To learn more about your risk of falling complete the “Is there a chance you might fall?” checklist.​

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Current as of: June 30, 2017

Author: Fall Risk Management Program