Researchers from the University of Aberdeen are encouraging older people to raise questions about their prolonged use of anticholinergic medication with their GP.
They are concerned that older people who use anticholinergic medications – such as amitriptyline, chlorpromazine and loratadine – on a regular basis can face an increased risk of falls, heart attacks, dementia and even death.
Previous attempts to reduce over-prescribing of these medications has focused on targeting prescribers and have had limited success, which may well be linked to lack of education on the topic and the available resources.
Anticholinergic medicines are used widely
It is thought that about one older adult in two in the UK uses anticholinergic medicines, which are used to treat conditions such as allergies, irritable bladder and nausea. However, the more anticholinergic medicines taken by a person, the greater their risk of heart attack, dementia, falls and death. Older people are particularly vulnerable to these effects.
‘We know that too much of these types of medicine can be very harmful to older people but so far, we haven’t been able to find the best way to reduce their use amongst older people’ [Carrie Stewart]
The team is being managed by Carrie Stewart from Aberdeen’s school of medicine, medical sciences and nutrition. She is inviting people aged 65 years and older who use one or more anticholinergic medicines (or have used one or more of these medicines within the last 12 months), to take part in the research. Anyone who has cared for an eligible adult can also take part.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to chat with the team and give their views on the medications and how they can feel empowered to ask questions about the medicine they are given.
A ‘different approach’ is needed
Dr Stewart explains: ‘We know that too much of these types of medicine can be very harmful to older people but so far, we haven’t been able to find the best way to reduce their use amongst older people.
‘We want to try a different approach, targeting the patient as a way of initiating change. Empowerment allows patients to have greater control by having a say in the decisions and actions taken in relation to their health.
Dr Stewart added: ‘Promoting patient empowerment features heavily within current health policy context including National Institute of Health and Care Excellence, NHS England and Scottish Government. The Scottish Government’s Realistic Medicine campaign aims to increase patient empowerment to improve medicine use.
‘We need people who have experience of these common medications to get in touch with us so that we can talk directly to them and get a real insight into how we can get on top of this – what better person to ask than the people involved.
‘What we learn from this study will inform and improve future de-prescribing approaches which could lead to significant improvements for older peoples’ health, quality of life and health resource use.’
The University of Aberdeen research team is overseen by Professor Phyo Myint, chair in old age medicine. Funded by the Sir Halley Stewart Trust, the study is already underway and the team wants eligible adults to get in touch.
For more information, see the website, email carrie.stewart@abdn.ac.uk or phone 01224 438152.
