Anticholinergic Burden Calculator

Work out anticholinergic burden instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Anticholinergic Burden Calculator

Sums the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden scale, where each medicine contributes 1, 2 or 3 points according to its anticholinergic activity.

Formula

ACB scale

Total = 1 x medicines scoring 1 + 2 x medicines scoring 2 + 3 x medicines scoring 3; a total of 3 or more is considered clinically relevant

Worked example

With the default values below, Anticholinergic Burden Calculator returns Anticholinergic burden score of 8. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Medicines scoring 1accepts 0–20: 3
Medicines scoring 2accepts 0–20: 1
Medicines scoring 3accepts 0–20: 1

Results

Anticholinergic burden score: 8
Burden band: Clinically relevant anticholinergic burden (3 or more)
Medicines counted: 5
Risk note: Each additional point is associated with measurable cognitive and functional decline in older adults

Step by step

1Values used
2ACB scale
3Anticholinergic burden score= 8
4Burden band= Clinically relevant anticholinergic burden (3 or more)
5Medicines counted= 5
6Risk note= Each additional point is associated with measurable cognitive and functional decline in older adults

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to whole numbers, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which drugs score 3?

Strongly anticholinergic agents such as amitriptyline, oxybutynin, chlorphenamine and hyoscine.

What harms are linked to burden?

Falls, confusion, urinary retention, constipation and accelerated cognitive decline in older adults.