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Overmedication in the Elderly

Based on: “Personal Health: Too Much Medicine, and Too Few Checks,” (Jane Brody,
NYT, Well Blog, April 17 2012)

            Over the last 100 years, life expectancy in the U.S. has increased dramatically. In 1910, for example, the average for men was 48 years. At 51 years, women didn’t fare much better. Today individuals can live well into their 80s. Longevity is both a blessing and a curse. As we age, maintaining good health becomes more complicated.
Thanks to pharmaceutical advances, drug therapies have become highly targeted to treat specific conditions and illnesses; the longer we live, the more medications we need to take. The phenomenon known as overmedication of the elderly is a growing problem that costs the American healthcare system millions.
Over 40% of people 65 and over take five or more medications. Often this is necessary to treat a variety of ailments, but when multiple doctors prescribe different classes of drugs to a single patient, problems inevitably arise.
            To minimize harmful drug interactions in older people, the American Geriatrics Society sponsored an expert panel to update prescription guidelines. It divided drugs into three categories: drugs that should not be prescribed to the elderly; drugs to avoid if the patient has certain conditions or diseases; and drugs to use with caution.
            People in their 70s and 80s may be particularly sensitive to the effects of certain therapies. Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, for example, can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding, and certain anti-depressants can dangerously lower sodium levels.
            To avoid harmful and potentially fatal drug interactions, patients can take the following steps:
·      Record your drugs and dosages in a log to take with you to appointments.
·       Ask your doctor about side effects each time she prescribes you a new drug.
·      Never stop or start taking a prescribed medication on your own; let your doctor know and follow his advice.
·      Over-the-counter supplements and drugs (e.g. aspirin, vitamins, herbs) can interact with drugs, too. Consult your physician before adding any to your regimen.

For more information about the problem of overmedication, the updated criteria, and questions to ask your healthcare provider, visit the American Geriatrics Society.

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