Long-Term Care Survey Alert
Too Many Of These Drugs Can Add Up To Anticholinergic Toxicity
If a resident develops delirium or confusion, review his meds.
One medication with anticholinergic properties may not cause an elderly resident problems. But a combination of them--or adding just one more--may tip the person into anticholinergic toxicity, including confusion or delirium, according to Susan Scanland, MSN, APRN, BC-NP, in a presentation at the March American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators conference in Las Vegas. Some common culprits include:
Furosemide
Dyazide
Lanoxin
Dipyridamole
Theophylline, anhydrous
Warfarin
Prednisone
Nifedipine
Isosorbide dinitrate
Codeine
Captopril
Imipramine/Desipramine
Amitriptyline
Cimetidine
Rantidine
Tobra/Clinda/Gentamicin
Ampicillin
Hydralzine
Diazepam
Source: Tune LE, Egeli S. Acetylcholine and delirium. Dementia Geriat Cogn Disorder 1999: 10:342-344 as cited by the handout for a presentation, "Assessment of Delirium, Depression and Dementia," by Susan Scanland at March AANAC.
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