What is a common side effect of antipsychotic medication in older adults?

The side effect of increased risk of falls and fractures due to sedation is particularly relevant in older adults taking antipsychotic medications. Antipsychotics, especially atypical ones, can cause sedation, dizziness, and orthostatic hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure upon standing. These effects can impair balance and coordination, significantly elevating the risk of falls.

In older individuals, these dangers are compounded since they may already have conditions that affect mobility or balance, and their bodies may not tolerate medication side effects as well as younger adults. The potential for sedation to lead to falls makes this a crucial consideration in prescribing and managing antipsychotic treatment in the elderly population.

The other options provided do not align with common side effects observed with antipsychotic medications. Improved cognitive function is not a known effect of these drugs; in fact, they can sometimes have negative impacts on cognitive abilities. Decreased appetite may occur in some patients but is not as universally acknowledged or impactful as the risks associated with sedation. Reduction in mobility could be a result of side effects, but it is frequently tied more directly to sedation and its effects on falls, making the risk of falls and fractures the more prominent concern in this context.