Are You Taking Drugs You Don’t Need?

Research On Drug Use

Previous studies have found unnecessary drugs common in nursing homes, hospitals, doctors’ offices, and the home. Although medical providers have tried to address this issue, misuse of drugs remains a major problem for seniors.

In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association , researchers analyzed a national sample of people age 65 years or older living at home. They found that 21.3%—nearly seven million community-dwelling seniors in the US—received 1 of 33 potentially inappropriate medications. The following are details from the study:

List of Inappropriate Drugs

In the journal Archives of Internal Medicine , researchers identified drugs that should be avoided by persons age 65 years and older.

This is not a complete list, though. There may be other medications that can be harmful to you. Talk to your doctor.

Note: For your own health and safety, do not stop taking any medication unless you have consulted with your doctor and have her approval.

Risks for Inappropriate Drug Use

When you’re on a lot of medicine, how can you tell if you’re taking more than you need? First of all, you need the help of your doctor to determine this. You and your doctor should be on a heightened state of alert for unnecessary medications if any of the following risk factors apply to you:

• Taking multiple drugs, especially if filling over 14 prescriptions a year
• Using over-the-counter drugs and supplements
• Visiting a number of different doctors
• Having trouble understanding instructions
• Saving medications for later use
• Borrowing or sharing medication
• Being age 65 years or older
• Being female
• Having poor health status

Talk to Your Doctor

The best way to fine-tune your medications is to work with your doctor. After all, most doctors are experts in the drug treatment of disease. But your doctor can only help if you tell him or her about all the medicines you’re taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs and supplements. A study in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society found that three out of four older adults take medications that their doctors don't know about.

Thoroughly review your medications with your doctor at least once a year. Write down a complete list, or better yet, bring all your medications into the office in a brown bag. And don’t forget to include those in your medicine chest or kitchen cupboard that you only take once in awhile.

Another key is to ask questions. Keep inquiring until you understand the dose, frequency, and purpose of the medicines you’re taking. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask about nondrug options that can help you minimize your use of medications.