Residents More Likely to Fall after Certain Antidepressant Changes

A new study has found that nursing home residents are five times more likely to fall in the two days immediately following a change in their prescribed dosage of non-SSRI antidepressants. This class of antidepressants includes drugs such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), trazodone (Desyrel) and venlafaxine (Effexor).

The researchers theorized that this increase in falls could be caused by acute cognitive or motor effects that are tied to the medications. Certain non-SSRI antidepressants can also cause a dramatic decrease in blood pressure when a person goes from sitting to standing, which could also be a factor.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife.

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