Certain Antidepressants Linked to Falls in Nursing Homes, Institute for Aging Research Reveals

In the days after they start taking non-SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants, such as bupropion or venlafaxine, nursing home residents are at significantly greater risk for falls, according to a new study. Researchers found the increased risk for falls also applies to those who had a dosage increase of their current prescription. “Our results identify the days following a new prescription or increased dose of a non-SSRI antidepressant as a window of time associated with a particularly high risk of falling among nursing home residents,” said study author Dr. Sarah D. Berry, a scientist at the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston

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