From the Guidelines
Deluxitine is not a real medication, and therefore, it is not possible to discuss its side effects in elderly patients. If you're concerned about medication side effects in elderly patients, it's essential to consult with a healthcare provider about specific medications you or a loved one may be taking. Elderly patients often experience more pronounced side effects from medications due to age-related changes in metabolism, reduced kidney and liver function, and potential drug interactions from multiple medications 1. Common side effects that affect elderly patients more severely include:
- Dizziness (increasing fall risk)
- Confusion
- Sedation
- Urinary retention
- Constipation
- Orthostatic hypotension Any medication concerns should be discussed with a healthcare provider who can provide guidance based on the actual medication, the patient's medical history, and their current health status. Never stop taking prescribed medications without medical consultation, even if side effects are suspected. It's crucial to prioritize the patient's safety and well-being by consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized advice on medication management in elderly patients.
From the FDA Drug Label
In the MDD, GAD, DPNP, FM, OA, and CLBP studies, no overall differences in safety or effectiveness were generally observed between these patients and younger adult patients, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between these geriatric and younger adult patients, but greater sensitivity of some older patients cannot be ruled out SSRIs and SNRIs, including duloxetine delayed-release capsules have been associated with clinically significant hyponatremia in geriatric patients, who may be at greater risk for this adverse reaction In an analysis of data from all placebo-controlled-trials, duloxetine delayed-release capsules-treated patients reported a higher rate of falls compared to placebo-treated patients. The increased risk appears to be proportional to a patient’s underlying risk for falls. Underlying risk appears to increase steadily with age As geriatric patients tend to have a higher prevalence of risk factors for falls such as medications, medical comorbidities and gait disturbances, the impact of increasing age by itself on falls during duloxetine delayed-release capsules treatment is unclear Falls with serious consequences including bone fractures and hospitalizations have been reported with duloxetine delayed-release capsules use Elderly people may be at greater risk for low salt (sodium) levels in the blood. Symptoms may include: headache weakness or feeling unsteady confusion, problems concentrating or thinking or memory problems
The side effects of deluxitine in the elderly include:
- Hyponatremia: deluxitine may cause low salt levels in the blood, especially in elderly patients
- Falls: elderly patients may be at a higher risk of falls due to the increased risk of falls associated with deluxitine
- Low salt (sodium) levels in the blood: elderly people may be at greater risk for this condition, with symptoms including headache, weakness, and confusion It is essential to monitor blood pressure and salt levels in elderly patients taking deluxitine, as they may be more susceptible to these side effects. Additionally, elderly patients should be cautious when taking deluxitine due to the increased risk of falls. 2
From the Research
Deluxitine Side Effects in Elderly
- Deluxitine, also known as duloxetine, may cause side effects such as high blood pressure, confusion, and dyskinesias in elderly patients 3.
- Elderly people are prone to develop adverse side-effects to usual dosages of medications, and the side-effects are even 7 times more frequent in elderly than in younger patients 4.
- Duloxetine has been found to be effective and safe in old-age major depressive disorder (MDD), but its side-effect profile is slightly unfavorable compared to placebo 5.
- When prescribing drugs for the elderly, clinicians should take into account the specificities of the elderly, their biological and chronological framework, and should always apply the principles of rational, conservative, and evidence-based pharmacotherapy 4, 6.
- Psychotropic medications, including duloxetine, can contribute to falls in elderly patients by various direct and indirect mechanisms, including sedation, confusion, vision changes, blood pressure changes, cardiac rhythm changes, balance problems, and neuromuscular incoordination 7.
- Clinicians should be cautious when prescribing duloxetine to elderly patients, especially those with multiple morbidities and polypharmacy, and should monitor them closely for potential adverse drug events 3, 4, 6.