STAT Bulletin May 3, 2012 Volume: 18 Issue: 11 To: Select Provider Groups Contracts Affected: Medicare Part D
High Risk Medications Why you’re receiving The Pharmacy Quality Alliance has determined that the medications on the enclosed this Stat list have the highest risk of side effects for elderly patients.
What you need to As their physician, only you know what is most appropriate for your patients. There know may be safer choices with fewer side effects.
Please consider alternative medication choices for your patients. If a medication cannot be changed, please ensure that the patient is monitored closely for side effects and assessed for potential negative outcomes. What you need to do If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact Provider Service at 1-800-950-0051 or 1-716-884-3461 .
R6387(B)_1624_1624 High Risk Medications
The Pharmacy Quality Alliance has determined the following medications have the highest risk of side effects among the elderly. As the physician, only you know what is most appropriate for your patients. There may be safer choices with fewer side effects. Please consider alternative medication choices for your patients. If a medication cannot be changed, please ensure that the patient is monitored closely for side effects and assessed for potential negative outcomes. Description Prescription Antianxiety (includes · aspirin-meprobamate · meprobamate combination medications) Antiemetics · scopolamine · trimethobenzamide Analgesics (includes · ketorolac combination medications) Antihistamines (includes · APAP/dextromethorphan/ · dexchlorpheniramine/ combination diphenhydramine methscopolamine/PSE medications) · APAP/diphenhydramine/phenylephrine · dexchlorpheniramine- · APAP/diphenhydramine/ pseudoephedrine pseudoephedrine · dextromethorphan-promethazine · acetaminophen-diphenhydramine · diphenhydramine · carbetapentane/diphenhydramine/ · diphenhydramine/hydrocodone/ phenylephrine phenylephrine · codeine/phenylephrine/promethazine · diphenhydramine-magnesium · codeine-promethazine salicylate · cyproheptadine · diphenhydramine-phenylephrine · dexchlorpheniramine · diphenhydramine-pseudoephedrine · dexchlorpheniramine/ · hydroxyzine hydrochloride dextromethorphan/PSE · hydroxyzine pamoate · dexchlorpheniramine/guaifenesin/ PSE · phenylephrine-promethazine · dexchlorpheniramine/ · promethazine hydrocodone/phenylephrine Antipsychotic, typical · thioridazine Amphetamines · amphetamine- · dextroamphetamine · methylphenidate dextroamphetamine · diethylpropion · phendimetrazine · benzphetamine · methamphetamine · phentermine · dexmethylphenidate Barbiturates · butabarbital · phenobarbital · mephobarbital · secobarbital · pentobarbital A Division of HealthNow New York Inc. An Independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association
R6146(B)_1624_1624 High Risk Medications
Description Prescription Long-acting · amitriptyline- · chlordiazepoxide- · flurazepam benzodiazepines chlordiazepoxide clidinium (includes combination · chlordiazepoxide · diazepam medications) Calcium channel · nifedipine—short-acting only blockers Gastrointestinal · dicyclomine · propantheline antispasmodics Belladonna alkaloids · atropine · belladonna/ergotamine/ (includes combination · atropine/CPM/hyoscyamine/PE/ phenobarbital medications) scopolamine · butabarbital/hyoscyamine/ · atropine/hyoscyamine/PB/ phenazopyridine scopolamine · digestive enzymes/hyoscyamine/ · atropine-difenoxin phenyltoloxamine · atropine-diphenoxylate · hyoscyamine · atropine-edrophonium · hyoscyamine/methenamine/ · belladonna m-blue/phenyl salicylate Skeletal muscle · ASA/caffeine/ · carisoprodol · methocarbamol relaxants (includes orphenadrine · chlorzoxazone · orphenadrine combination · ASA/carisoprodol/ · cyclobenzaprine medications) codeine · metaxalone · aspirin-carisoprodol · aspirin-methocarbamol Oral estrogens (includes · conjugated estrogen · esterified estrogen · estropipate combination · conjugated estrogen- · esterified estrogen- medications) medroxyprogesterone methyltestosterone Oral hypoglycemic · chlorpropamide Narcotics (includes · ASA/caffeine/propoxyphene · meperidine-promethazine combination · acetaminophen-pentazocine · naloxone-pentazocine medications) · acetaminophen-propoxyphene · pentazocine · belladonna-opium · propoxyphene hydrochloride · meperidine · propoxyphene napsylate Vasodilators · dipyridamole—short-acting only · isoxsuprine · ergot mesyloid Others (including · methyltestosterone · nitrofurantoin androgens and anabolic · nitrofurantoin macrocrystals-monohydrate steroids, thyroid · nitrofurantoin macrocrystals · thyroid desiccated medications, urinary anti-infectives)
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