Q. My mom has always been active and engaged but lately she seems to be fading and confused. She constantly complains of being dizzy or light-headed. She also has ringing in the ears and insomnia.
Her medicines include simvastatin for controlling cholesterol, clonazepam to calm her nerves and budesonide for breathing. In addition, she takes a baby aspirin for her heart, ibuprofen for arthritis and omeprazole for her stomach. She sometimes takes Tylenol PM to get some sleep. Could her medicines be contributing to her symptoms?
A. Several of the drugs she takes have side effects that may add to her troubles. Aspirin and ibuprofen can cause stomach irritation as well as ringing in the ears. Budesonide might also be contributing to her stomachache, indigestion and insomnia. The diphenhydramine (DPH) in Tylenol PM may lead to confusion and memory problems that could mimic dementia. Clonazepam can add to dizziness, fatigue and confusion.
We are sending you our Guide to Drugs & Older People with questions to ask the doctor and a list of medications that older people should generally avoid, along with drugs that can cause memory problems. Simvastatin may also be contributing to her malaise and mental fogginess.
In a situation like this, asking one of her doctors to review all of her medications with an eye to reducing these troublesome side effects would be a good step to take. A strategic discontinuation or two might reduce the need for several other medicines.
