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Archivos de Medicina de Urgencia de México

2026, Number 1

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Arch Med Urg Mex 2026; 18 (1)

Potentially inappropriate medications in older adults in emergency departments: a narrative review

Bañuelos-Huerta R, Aguilar-Lazcano EY, Ramírez-Barranco M, Hernández-Hernández JL, Sandoval-Hernández JC, Cárdenas-Valdovinos U

Language: Spanish
References: 50
Page: 70-78
PDF size: 312.43 Kb.


ABSTRACT

The prescription of potentially inappropriate medications in older adults represents a critical challenge in emergency departments, where age-related physiological changes, together with polypharmacy, increase the risk of adverse outcomes. This narrative review synthesizes scientific evidence from meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and international standardized guidelines published over the last decade to identify the potentially inappropriate medications most frequently used in emergency care for geriatric patients. The analysis shows that the use of medications such as benzodiazepines, NSAIDs, certain antihistamines, antipsychotics, antihypertensive agents, and hypoglycemic drugs in emergency settings is associated with a higher incidence of delirium, falls, and renal function decline; in some cases, these drugs may also prolong hospital length of stay and increase mortality risk.
Identification of these medications, individualized patient assessment, and transition to safer therapeutic alternatives are necessary measures to ensure patient safety, reduce hospital length of stay, and improve rational medication use in the emergency department.


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