Cold medications with the ingredient Doxylamine succinate can be dangerous for seniors

Last Sunday, I took a Kroger-brand nighttime cold medication similar to Niquil, something I have done for the past 30 years without a problem. I was not familiar with the antihistamine Doxylamine succinate, which is the ingredient in the sleep aid Unisom.

I never had any side effects from name-brand or store-brand cold or allergy products, only drowsiness. When I read that Doxylamine succinate was a sedative for sleep, I had a feeling I should not take it, but I did.

I will be 68 on my birthday and have been blessed not to deal with many older-age issues. I had read a few years ago that seniors should be wary of antihistamines, but now I realize how dangerous this particular brand can be.

My grandmother used to say that if you don't hear, you are going to feel. Well, I felt the consequences of a decision in a major way.I have read the side effects of various products. but did not take them seriously because I was not personally affected. That changed at the beginning of last week.

There was no problem the first night, I took the Kroger brand because I slept about six hours. A few days later, things were different. On Sunday, after taking this medication around 3:00 p.m. I fell asleep. I woke around 4:30, and when I stood up, I fell over on the bed.

I tried to walk to the kitchen, and my legs were like jelly. As I put trash in the can, I fell to my left against the wall, and wondered if I had a mini stroke, but I had none of the usual symptoms. No tingling or numbness, blurred vision, or slurred speech.

I contemplated going to the ER, but my blood pressure and temperature were normal. Suspecting the medicine was the culprit, I decided to walk it off. I was slightly unsteady but made a two-mile walk.

Back home, when barefoot, I almost fell against the wall a few times. On Monday and Tuesday, my legs were still slightly wobbly, and I had to steady myself.

I was about to move up my next doctor's appointment until, out of curiosity, I looked up information online. I read that Doxylamine succinate is a first-generation antihistamine used for insomnia and cold symptoms.

I wondered why an insomnia drug was doubling as a cold medication, and as I read the side effects, I was stunned. They include heavy drowsiness, next-day sedation, dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, and blurred vision. It is recommended that you get seven to eight hours of sleep after taking this drug. I had jumped up after sleeping only an hour and a half.

I did not feel dizzy; I could not walk properly. The side effects can also cause significant anticholinergic effects. This means you may not be able to pee or poop, and older adults are at a specific risk for confusion and falling.

This was the first time I was thankful to read about side effects. If the medication was the problem, I could rule out serious health issues. Sleep medication can remain in your system for 16 hours to two days.

Being older with a slower metabolism also plays a role, which is probably why it took about four days before I felt normal again. I have been forced to admit that I am not a superwoman and susceptible to some senior issues, and that's a good thing.

Antihistamines and sleep medication can cause brain changes that lead to cognitive issues for seniors. If you are an older adult, please use my experience as a cautionary tale. If you need a cold medication, please check with your healthcare provider before taking doxylamine succinate.