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Sedating antihistamine anticholinergic risk — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardCNS TherapeuticsSedating antihistamine anticholinergic riskGPhC CRA

A 76-year-old woman asks to buy promethazine for sleep. She has glaucoma, recurrent falls, constipation, and takes oxybutynin for urinary urgency. What is the most appropriate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — Avoid sedating antihistamine supply and discuss safer sleep advice or referral

Promethazine has sedating and anticholinergic effects that can worsen falls, constipation, urinary retention, and glaucoma risk. The existing oxybutynin adds anticholinergic burden. Non-drug sleep advice or referral is safer than OTC sedating antihistamine supply in this patient.

Reference: BNF; NICE CKS