Newer drugs to treat prostate symptoms are associated with increased risk of falls

Commentary on: Welk B, McArthur E, Fraser LA, et al.. The risk of fall and fracture with the initiation of a prostate-selective α antagonist: a population based cohort study. BMJ 2015;351:h5398. Implications for practice and research Prostate-selective α-antagonists are associated with a small increased risk of falls and fall-related fractures. Healthcare practitioners should consider counselling patients on the increased risk for falls prior to starting prostate-selective α-antagonists. Future studies should evaluate strategies to reduce the risk of falls in men prescribed α-antagonists. Context Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to prostate enlargement are almost ubiquitous among older men. α-Antagonists relax the smooth muscle of the prostate to help improve voiding. However, as α-antagonists are associated with the side effects of hypotension and dizziness due to their action on peripheral blood vessels, prostate-selective α-antagonists with fewer side effects have emerged.1 Prior...
Source: Evidence-Based Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Long term care, Adult nursing, Osteoporosis, Trauma, Injury Source Type: research