Nov 1, 2020
Barb Green, Parish Nurse
Milton, WI
Medications and Aging
If you are looking at the title of this article and thinking that you don’t need to read it because you certainly are not old, think again. All of us are aging and if this doesn’t apply to you now, it will. Statistics reveal that 91% of people over 65 take at least one prescription drug and 41% use five or more. The more prescriptions taken, the higher the risk of side effects. One in six over 65 have one or more harmful reactions to drugs they are taking. The reasons for this are multiple. Older people may be more sensitive to drugs. As our brains, kidneys, liver etc. age, our bodies do not metabolize drugs as they once did, causing problems. We also tend to have more chronic health problems. Treatment for these may cause interactions with resulting side effects. A drug taken for one condition may make another worse.
It is easy to miss medication side effects because they masquerade as other symptoms. Some drugs have anticholinergic effects which means that they reduce or interfere with a chemical messenger that is a key to healthy nerve function. This can cause drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision, dizziness and other symptoms that impair thinking skills. A drug that is fine for a younger person can cause huge side effects for someone who is having even a little difficulty with thinking and memory. If you or someone you love seems to have worsening symptoms of dementia, ask your doctor about the effect their medications may be having. Confusion and memory loss might be medication fog. Sometimes side effects appear right away but in other cases they develop slowly over time. Patients may not make the connection between a drug that they have been taking a long time and the appearance of new symptoms.
Why does this happen? Doctors may not be aware that their patients are also taking prescriptions prescribed by other physicians. A person may be taking the same drug prescribed by two different doctors. Although medications are reviewed at doctor visits, patients don’t always tell what another physician has prescribed or don’t remember all of what they take. That is why doctors ask you to bring in all your medications including over the counter vitamins, supplements and herbs. This enables them to take a look at what you are really on. It is extremely important that you keep an updated list of everything you are taking and carry it in your wallet. If you are attending appointments with someone else you should also have a list of their drugs.
To help avoid medication problems use these tips:
• Make sure you know all medications you are taking. Don’t assume some are safe just because they don’t require a prescription.
• Keep a running list with the date each medicine is started and stopped and note any symptoms.
• Periodically review the total medication list with a doctor, a geriatrics specialist or a pharmacist.
Are there some you don’t need to be taking anymore?
• Make sure you understand the purpose of the drug and how you will know if it is working.
• Find out when and how you should be taking each medication. If you miss a dose what should you do?
• What is the impact of the drug on other prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs you are taking?
What dose of an OTC is right for you?
Mistakes are made because people cannot read the label, have trouble opening the bottle, can’t afford the drug or can’t remember to take it. Talk to your pharmacist if these problems exist. Among other things, he/she can give large print labels, blister pack your drugs or tell you if there is a generic that would be effective. Other problems include: taking drugs not prescribed for you; using drugs past the expiration date; stopping a drug because you feel better; and drinking alcohol when taking drugs for sleep, pain, anxiety or depression. Never start or stop taking a drug without your physician’s okay. When you have questions, ask a professional.
Healthinaging.org lists drugs that can potentially be problems for older people. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), muscle relaxants, drugs used for anxiety and sleeping pills. For the full list, including reasons, see the above website. Don’t let the list scare you, but if you have questions please talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Remember medications may be a necessary part of your treatment plan. Use them safely so you can have the greatest benefit to your health.