too many anticholinergics in an elderly patient
December 2011
You won't usually see a computer alert warning about too many anticholinergics in an elderly patient...despite the risks.
Anticholinergics don't ONLY cause dry mouth, constipation, and urinary retention. They can also worsen cognition.
Even a single anticholinergic med can increase the risk of cognitive impairment by up to 50%...even more in patients who've had a stroke or have a family history of dementia.
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