Abstract

The purpose of the literature review is to discuss the effects of anticholinergics in health care clients. Researchers demonstrated the impact of acetylcholine and cholinergic burden can result in cognitive decline and dementia. Their research substantiated recommendations from the World Health Organization (1993) to avoid anticholinergics in those persons over the age of 65 years. Health care providers prescribe anticholinergics for a variety of reasons: Parkinson’s disease; pre-operative medications to reduce secretions; urinary retention or antispasmodics for gastrointestinal disturbances. Other over the counter medications, such as antihistamines also have anticholinergic effects adding to a problematical anticholinergic burden. Common side effects cited for anticholinergics included not only confusion, delirium, and sedation, but also dizziness, dry mouth and blurred vision. As a health care provider, it is important to recognize the effects of anticholinergics and how they specifically impact our geriatric population.

Keywords: Dementia; Delirium; Geriatrics; Anticholinergic; Cholinergic; Antimuscarinics