New research has changed the recommendations for several medications commonly used by older adults.
However, studies show that it can take time for their use to decline, according to Medical Xpress.
Sleeping pills can increase the risk of falls
Benzodiazepines and related sleeping medications can affect balance and coordination. This can increase the risk of falls and fractures in older adults.
The medication can affect memory and attention
These medications can also affect cognitive function and increase the risk of traffic accidents.
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Combining them with opioids can be dangerous
In people who also take opioids for pain, benzodiazepines can lead to overdoses.
Long-term use can lead to dependence
About one-third of users in a U.S. study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine took benzodiazepines for more than six months.
This increases the likelihood of dependence.
More people over 75 received benzodiazepines
The proportion of people over the age of 75 who were dispensed the medication increased from 12 percent in 2020 to around 13 percent in 2024 in the United States.
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Treatment should not be stopped suddenly, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Antibiotics are often unnecessary for a certain bowel condition
For uncomplicated diverticulitis, which is inflammation of small pouches in the colon, antibiotics are no longer recommended as routine treatment.
Studies found little benefit from the treatment
Clinical trials published in BJS showed that antibiotics had little or no effect on outcomes including mortality, complications and the risk of the condition recurring.
Antibiotics were still prescribed at nearly all visits
In a study of 70,000 visits to U.S. healthcare facilities, antibiotics were prescribed at 97 percent of visits for uncomplicated diverticulitis, according to Medical Xpress.
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Antibiotics also have drawbacks
Treatment can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and increase the risk of infection with the bacterium C. difficile.
Widespread use also contributes to antibiotics becoming less effective.
Aspirin can help after a blood clot
For people who have already had a heart attack, stroke or heart procedure, a daily low dose of aspirin can reduce the risk of another event.
Recommendations are different for other older adults
U.S. professional guidelines advise against using aspirin to prevent a first cardiovascular event in older adults.
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Trials have shown limited benefit, while the risk of bleeding increases with age.
Many people over 70 continued to take aspirin
Although its use for prevention declined from 2011 to 2023, more than one in three Americans over the age of 70 were still taking aspirin for this purpose.
Medical Xpress recommends that people who already take aspirin discuss the treatment with their doctor.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.