The risk of taking too many drugs
November 9, 2019
By: Olympic Area Agency on Aging
Email: jody.moss@dshs.wa.gov
As we age, the more likely we are to be taking multiple medications. While this may seem intuitive, the number of medications seniors are taking may surprise you. More than a third of Americans over the age of 65 take at least five prescription medications, a scenario described as polypharmacy. The typical 75-year-old takes more than 10 prescription drugs. And while these drugs have helped save lives and improve the health and well-being of millions of people, polypharmacy can have life-threatening side effects, including an increased risk of falling, adverse drug events, hospital admission and even death.
How big is the problem?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those over the age of 65 are three times more likely to go to the ER for adverse drug events than younger patients, with more than 177,000 emergency visits each year. Seniors are seven times more likely to be hospitalized after an emergency visit. Over-medication of seniors has been linked to falls, kidney failure and even heart attacks as well as misdiagnoses for conditions from depression to dementia. One-third of prescription-related deaths are of elderly persons. In one study, researchers discovered that approximately one in five prescriptions written for elderly patients was inappropriate. Some estimates put the number of deaths due to prescription drugs at more than 100,000 each year.
What causes the problem?
There are many reasons why polypharmacy happens. Here are some of the major reasons.
Multiple health problems
One of the reasons that polypharmacy is so common is that seniors often have different doctors treating multiple health problems. They see a cardiologist for their heart issues, a gastroenterologist for digestive problems, a neurologist for Alzheimer’s disease or stroke recovery, an oncologist for their cancer concerns, and the list goes on and on. The problem is that these specialists generally don’t communicate with each other and the senior patient often forgets to communicate to each physician what medications they’re taking. Dr. Michael W. Rich, a cardiology professor at Washington University says, “The likelihood of an adverse reaction for someone taking more than 10 prescription drugs is nearly 100 percent.”
Side effect or new symptom?
Adding to the problem is the fact that doctors might treat a new symptom with another drug instead of seeing the symptom for what it is – an adverse reaction to a current drug. They might misinterpret the adverse reaction as a new disease instead of a side effect and prescribe a new medication to handle the new symptom, increasing the possibility of adverse reactions to a drug that isn’t needed.
A population at higher risk
Finally, one of the reasons elders are over-medicated may be due to the fact that they are a vulnerable population. Older adults are more likely to have memory loss and get confused easily. They often hesitate to question their doctors and often, if they see more than one doctor without sharing this information, the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing.
What can you do to protect yourself?
Before any appointment with a medical professional, you should make a list of all the medications and dosage directions – including over-the-counter ones – you or a loved one is taking. Show the list to your doctor and ask specifically about contraindications with other medications. Make sure all the dosages are still appropriate. If you don’t know what a particular medication is for, ask! Whenever your doctor prescribes a new drug, ask what it’s for and if you really need it. Get educated on all the possible side effects of any medication you’re taking. If your doctor gives you a medication for high blood pressure and high blood pressure is a side effect of another medication, point this out to help your doctor prescribe the right combination of drugs that will best suit your specific situation.
Finally, be an advocate for yourself or a loved one. You are the best person to know what’s in your own best interest. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If a medication is making you sick, ask your doctor for an alternative medicine, therapy or treatment. But never stop taking a medication or change dosages without consulting your doctor.
The Olympic Area Agency on Aging serves as a safe entry point for information and assistance for seniors and adults with disabilities in Grays Harbor, Pacific, Clallam, and Jefferson Counties. We can explore your options, answer your questions (or find the answers!), and help link you to the right services. For help with senior or adults with disability questions call Information and Assistance at 360-452-3221 in Clallam and 360-385-2552 in Jefferson.
And if you want to use in the south counties issue –
For help with senior or adults with disability questions call Information and Assistance at 360-532-0520 – Aberdeen, 360-942-2177 – Raymond, and 360-642-3634 – Long Beach.