Prescription Drug Interactions
Are there special precautions for seniors?
Are interactions between prescription drugs a problem for your loved one? Two-thirds of seniors take one or more prescription drugs every day; one-fourth take 4 or more. Because they see specialists in addition to their own doctor, seniors are often given new prescription drugs without thoroughly assessing their other medications. Dangerous interactions, side effects and even disastrous consequences can be the result. Professionals estimate that 1 in 4 hospital admissions of seniors are a direct result of medication problems, including prescription drug interactions.
Prescription drug side effects and interactions between medications (this includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin, herbal remedies, nutritional supplements – even daily multi-vitamins) can produce symptoms that include mood changes, loss of energy, difficulty walking, confusion and other memory problems, even incontinence. Unfortunately, these symptoms are often overlooked, ignored, or chalked up to old age. Or, they can lead to incorrect diagnoses of senility or Alzheimer’s disease, or other serious conditions, with totally inappropriate care being prescribed.
Older adults tend to be more sensitive to prescription drugs than younger adults due to slower metabolisms and organ functions. This affects how a drug is absorbed into the bloodstream, how it reacts in the organs, and how quickly it is eliminated. But dosage amounts are usually determined based on the faster metabolic rate of younger people. Consequently, many drugs tend to build up over time to far higher levels than desired for older patients. This can produce allergic reactions or worsen already troublesome side effects. Be especially alert for dizziness, blurred vision, constipation, incontinence, diarrhea, nausea, sleep changes, mood changes or a rash.
Over-medication of the elderly has become a major medical problem. This happens far more frequently than most people realize. (According to Consumer Reports on Health, “Any new health problem in an older person should be considered drug induced until proven otherwise.”)
Remember, loss of sight, hearing loss, confusion, memory loss, depression and incontinence are not normal aspects of aging. Left untreated, your loved one could face a life of despair in a nursing home.
If you suspect that medications may be causing problems for your loved one, consult with a doctor who specializes in geriatric medicine (elder care), not just one with a lot of older patients. To find a geriatric specialist, visit the American Medical Association’s Online Doctor Finder. And, you’ll find an excellent drug interaction checker at myOptumHealth.com.
Filed Under: Featured
About the Author: Internet Entrepreneur - Loving Husband, Proud Father and Grandfather - PASSION: Improving the Quality of Life for Aging Parents and their Family Caregivers
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Brian Wolstenholme, PharmD, CGP, FASCP
Senior Care Pharmacist
I agree completely.
More on polypharmacy
A new study shows that an amazing majority, (2 out of 3) of those over 65 are taking at least one inappropriate medication. The more medications you take, the greater the chance you will have a problem and when the number reaches10 or more, there are probably at least 2 of them causing a problem
With all the news today about Medicare part D, we are more worried about paying for medications than the medications themselves. Please, get the cart before the horse. Medication errors will hurt you a lot more than the cost, but of course, if you end up taking fewer medications your cost will be less.
If you are older than the age of 65 and answer yes to any of the questions below, you should seriously consider getting advice from a consulting pharmacist.
• Do you currently take five or more medications?
• Do you take 12 or more medication doses each day?
• Are you currently taking medications for three or more medical problems?
• Does more than one physician prescribe medications for you?
• Do you get your prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy?
• Do you suffer side effects as a result of any of your medications?
The list below are some of the medications that present far more risk than others and require greater attention to details.
carbamazepine
lithium
phenytoin
warfarin or Coumadin
digoxin or Lanoxin or Lanoxicaps
phenobarbital
procainamide
theopylline or Theo-dur
If you, or someone you know, may be at risk due to polypharmacy I suggest as strongly as possible that you contact a consulting pharmacist immediately.
ALearn more about Consulting Pharmacists at
http://www.ascp.com
Find a Consulting Pharmacist at
http://alt.ascp.com:591/fmpro?-db=survey.fp5&-format=survey_Find_Non_Member.htm&-findall