Anticholinergic drugs are associated with increased risks of impaired cognition, falls and death in patients over the age of 65 years. Combining treatments with anticholinergics might have cumulative harmful effects when given to patients with more than one condition. Rating scales called ACB (anticholinergic burden scale) have been developed in 2008 ranking drugs according to their anticholinergic activity – it’s a practical tool for optimising prescribing for older patients. Anticholinergic burden (ACB) is calculated by totalling the scores for all anticholinergic medicines that the patient is taking.

Link to ACB calculator:

http://www.acbcalc.com/