Elderly patients hospitalized by doctors who frequently prescribe first-generation antihistamines have a significantly higher risk of delirium, a condition characterized by confusion and disorientation. This is the conclusion reached by researchers from the University of Toronto. The study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS).
First-generation antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), are widely used to treat allergic reactions, hives, and anaphylaxis. However, they have a strong sedative effect and are one of the most common causes of drug complications in the elderly. However, these drugs are often prescribed inappropriately.
The researchers analyzed data from 328,140 patients aged 65 and older, treated by 755 doctors at 17 Canadian hospitals between 2015 and 2022. Delirium was observed in 34.8% of patients. Furthermore, those hospitalized with physicians who frequently prescribed first-generation antihistamines had a 41% higher risk of developing delirium than those treated by physicians who rarely prescribed these drugs.
"We hope that our study will draw the attention of doctors to the risks of using sedating antihistamines in elderly patients. Such drugs should be prescribed with special caution," said the lead author of the study, Dr. Aaron Drucker of the University of Toronto.
According to the researchers, the results highlight the need for a more balanced approach to antihistamine drug selection in hospitals, especially when treating older adults who are more sensitive to the side effects of sedatives.
Translation:Euromedia24.com-in:
