Anticholinergic Burden

Patient review is important to minimise the number of anticholinergic drugs where possible. Some patients may be suitable for a ‘drug holiday’.

 

Anticholinergic drugs are prescribed for a wide range of conditions, including Parkinson’s disease,

overactive bladder, COPD, nausea and vomiting, depression and psychosis. Combining treatments with anticholinergic activity might have cumulative harmful effects when given to a person with more than one clinical condition. This potential for harm increases with frailty and age.