PEOPLE taking five or more medications may increase their risk of slips, trips and falls, particularly during the cold and flu season.
The falls prevention team at Stay On Your Feet and part of the Injury Council of WA, encourages older adults to check their daily intake of medications.
“All medicines can cause side effects and these increase the more you take,” community engagement officer Ally White said.
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READ NOW“The good news is a simple medicine check can reduce side effects such as feeling drowsy, dizzy or faint.”
People who take prescribed drugs are urged to consider the impact of additional treatments and keep an up to date list of medicines.
Free medicine checks and information about a dispenser pack to control the correct amount of medicines taken are available from pharmacists.
High Wycombe pharmacist Kim Watkins said sleeping tablets were a common medicine linked to unwanted side effects.
“Ideally, sleeping tablets should be used for two weeks or less and only when required,” she said.
“It’s important to ask a GP about the (side) effects (of sleeping tablets) and talk about a gradual reduction plan.”
WA falls prevention program Stay On Your Feet has a brochure to help older adults run a medicine health check.
For more, visit Stay On Your Feet or call 1300 30 35 40.