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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Sleeping Pills Be Given To An Elderly Lady With Anxiety, High BP And Arthritis?

Hi,my grandmother is 80 year old,she has arthritis and high bp problem.she is currently on thyriod medication,telminorm 40 for high bp and alprazam for sleep. But after taking sleeping pill she become delusional for hours and she sleeps for 12 hours and after whn she wokes up,she make request for sleeping pill. And we are giving these pills since last 15 days.
she also has anxiety problem. Should we stop giving her sleeping pill.
Mon, 15 Jun 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. She is 80 years old and also have health issues like thyroid problems. At this age a lot of individuals develop cognitive decline and this is the probable reason that she forgets that she has taken the medicine and she asks for medicine again. It is not advisable to give benzodiazepines to elderly because they worsen the cognitive decline and also cause memory problems. You have mentioned that she also becomes delusional so this should also be evaluated. Please consult her doctor again and discuss about if the Alprazolam should be continued or not? Also for sleep problems and cognitive decline please consult a psychiatrist for her. Medicines like Mirtazapine, Trazodon etc can be utilised for sleep in her case. These medicines will also not worsen the cognitive impairment. Visit a doctor for help and prescription of these drugs.

I hope this helps you.

Thanks, Take care

Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi,
Psychiatrist
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Can Sleeping Pills Be Given To An Elderly Lady With Anxiety, High BP And Arthritis?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. She is 80 years old and also have health issues like thyroid problems. At this age a lot of individuals develop cognitive decline and this is the probable reason that she forgets that she has taken the medicine and she asks for medicine again. It is not advisable to give benzodiazepines to elderly because they worsen the cognitive decline and also cause memory problems. You have mentioned that she also becomes delusional so this should also be evaluated. Please consult her doctor again and discuss about if the Alprazolam should be continued or not? Also for sleep problems and cognitive decline please consult a psychiatrist for her. Medicines like Mirtazapine, Trazodon etc can be utilised for sleep in her case. These medicines will also not worsen the cognitive impairment. Visit a doctor for help and prescription of these drugs. I hope this helps you. Thanks, Take care Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, Psychiatrist