Patient Fall Risk Caused by Unintended Diphenhydramine Use

ASCP Host Donna Bartlett interviews author Kyle Frasier about his recent article in The Senior Care Pharmacist. During the comprehensive medication review, pharmacists determined the patient had inadvertently purchased an acetaminophen/diphenhydramine combination medication, rather than his usual acetaminophen. Use of acetaminophen/diphenhydramine for back pain without insomnia may contribute to falls. Pharmacists contacted the prescribing physician to obtain a prescription for acetaminophen. By asking the local pharmacy to dispense acetaminophen as a prescription, the risk to the patient of inadvertently purchasing an inappropriate product is reduced.