Anticholinergic drugs and negative outcomes in the older population: from biological plausibility to clinical evidence

• Published in: Aging clinical and experimental research Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 25 - 35
• Main Authors: Collamati, Agnese, Martone, Anna Maria, Poscia, Andrea, Brandi, Vincenzo, Celi, Michela, Marzetti, Emanuele, Cherubini, Antonio, Landi, Francesco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.02.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Accidental Falls; Aged; Aging - drug effects; Aging - physiology; Aging - psychology; Bronchodilators; Cholinergic Antagonists - classification; Cholinergic Antagonists - pharmacology; Cognition Disorders - chemically induced; Delirium; Delirium - chemically induced; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions - diagnosis; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions - etiology; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions - prevention & control; Drugs; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Older people; Quality of Life; Review; Delirium; Falls; Side effects; Physical performance; Mortality; Anticholinergic drugs; Cognitive impairment

The use of medication with anticholinergic properties is widespread among older subjects. Many drugs of common use such as antispasmodics, bronchodilators, antiarrhythmics, antihistamines, anti-hypertensive drugs, antiparkinson agents, skeletal muscle relaxants, and psychotropic drugs have been demo...