The Dangers of Over-Medication Among Seniors

Senior Medication Management  |  January 10, 2024

What Every Senior in North and West Vancouver, BC Needs to Know About the Dangers of Over-Medication

Over-Medication | For many individuals, medication is crucial for maintaining their well-being and cannot be overlooked. However, research indicates, and specialists concur, that there is a significant portion of the population who are consuming an excessive amount of medication. This can lead to harmful interactions and severe side effects as the cumulative effect of multiple drugs and mixing them increases the danger.

#DYK – 30 – 40% of people age 65 and over take 5 or more medications regularly. Of that group, about 10 percent of them take 10 or more drugs.

Polypharmacy, or the use of multiple medications, has become a widespread issue among older individuals. As seniors are more likely to experience chronic health conditions, the need for medication is also higher. However, due to the changes that come with aging, an elderly person’s body may handle drugs differently and at a slower pace than younger individuals. This raises concerns about potential drug interactions.

Contributing Factors to Senior Over-Medication

Polypharmacy has been on the rise in the past decade due to a variety of factors. Firstly, the increasing availability of medications for chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis, has contributed to this trend. Additionally, improved diagnostic methods have also led to a greater use of medications. Lastly, the advertising of drugs directly to consumers through television and magazines has influenced patient demands and inquiries about specific medications.

One issue currently faced is the absence of cooperation among insurance companies, medical professionals, and pharmacies. This results in patients consulting various specialists who fail to communicate regarding their prescribed medications. As a result, patients are left responsible for keeping track of it all, but this may be overwhelming for some senior citizens. According to recent data, approximately 25% of patients have prescriptions from at least four different doctors.

Furthermore, there is a common belief that individuals must maintain a consistent use of chronic disease medications for extended periods or even indefinitely. However, those with slightly elevated cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels may be able to reduce their medication intake if they make necessary lifestyle adjustments to manage their conditions. Unfortunately, there is not enough focus on exploring alternative options in these cases. Research also indicates that a significant number of individuals are prescribed antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, and pain relievers unnecessarily.

Potential Dangers of Senior Over-Medication

While drugs do save lives, few prescription medications are completely free of risks or side effects. A 2012 report by Bruyere, a Canadian health services organization, listed several factors that put seniors at increased risk from polypharmacy:

• Physiologic changes (increased sensitivity to benzodiazepines, analgesics, or antihypertensives)
• Reduced kidney and liver function (making it harder to excrete drugs)
• Reduced body fat (this changes the distribution of drugs)
• Existing conditions (dementia, delirium, poor kidney function, poor balance, and increased likelihood of falls)

The cognitive abilities and mental capacity of seniors are impacted by polypharmacy. This can result in erroneous diagnoses of depression, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease in overmedicated seniors.

Recognize the Warning Signs of Senior Over-Medication

Being aware of potential symptoms can assist in identifying if your loved one is possibly taking an excessive amount of medication. These warning signs may include: feeling excessively tired; experiencing physical issues such as a dry mouth or ulcers; feeling confused; withdrawing from close relationships; hallucinating; feeling dizzy or experiencing falls; sustaining fractures; and having seizures. If you notice any of these indicators or observe sudden changes in behavior, it is important to promptly inform a doctor for further evaluation.

How to Cut Down on Senior Prescriptions:

• If your loved one regularly takes multiple medications, including vitamins, herbs, and over-the-counter medicines, it is important to have them reviewed by their primary care doctor at least once a year. It is recommended to bring all pill bottles to the doctor’s appointment to provide accurate information. It’s crucial to schedule this reassessment as soon as possible.
• When discussing medication with the doctor, it’s important to be proactive. Make sure to ask if your loved one still needs to take each drug and the reason behind it. Additionally, seniors can inquire about the possibility of lowering dosages.
• Inquire with the doctor about potential lifestyle modifications that may allow your elderly loved one to reduce their reliance on medication. Additionally, explore alternative forms of treatment, such as acupuncture, yoga, or meditation.
• Don’t just rely on the doctor to know details about drug-drug interactions. Do online research. Reliable websites such as The DIR (Drug Information Resources) https://www.dal.ca/diff/druginfo.html and medscape.com list potential interactions and provide explanations.
• If a new medication causes additional side effects while taking 2 or more others, promptly inform the doctor – particularly if symptoms involve stomach discomfort, nausea, lightheadedness, tiredness, or difficulty maintaining equilibrium.
• As time passes, medication may experience changes in potency and effectiveness, leading to potential new side effects or interactions with other drugs. This could result from some medications accumulating in the body while others lose their efficacy over time. As a result, previously treated symptoms may reappear.
• It is recommended to stick with one pharmacy and pharmacist. Ensure that the pharmacist is aware of all medications being taken, including any herbal supplements prescribed by another healthcare provider. Pharmacists are often more knowledgeable in identifying potential drug interactions compared to doctors.

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References:

• ParentGiving. “Overmedication in the Elderly.” Web. 2016.
• MedShadow. “Are Seniors Being Overmedicated?” by Steven Findlay. Web. 2015. Updated 2016.
• AARP. “The Pharmacist Who Says No to Drugs.” by Bill Hogan. Web. 2011.
• CareConversations. “Overmedication: Warning Signs to Watch For.” Web. 2016.

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