The average older adult takes 4-5 prescription drugs and two over-the-counter drugs, and fills 12-17 prescriptions a year. Some of these medications are truly necessary, as people tend to have more health problems with age. But, the more medicines you take, the greater your risk of suffering an adverse drug reaction.
When compared to younger people, seniors are more sensitive to drug interactions and side effects. And older people are especially susceptible to becoming confused, dizzy, or falling and breaking a hip.
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:
Category of Drug Use | Percent of Seniors |
---|---|
Taking at least one drug that should never be used | 2.6 |
Taking at least one drug that should rarely be used | 9.1 |
Taking at least one drug that has some indications, but that is often misused | 13.3 |
Total taking any type of potentially inappropriate drug | 21.3 |
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.
Drug Name | Severity Rating |
---|---|
Propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvon w/ASA, Darvon-N, Darvon-N) | Low |
Indomethacin (Indocin, Indocin SR) | High |
Pentazocine (Talwin) | High |
Trimethobenzamide (Tigan) | High |
Methocarbamol (Robaxin) | High |
Carisoprodol (Soma) | High |
Chlorzoxazone (Paraflex) | High |
Metaxalone (Skelaxin) | High |
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) | High |
Oxybutynin (Ditropan) | High |
Rurazepam (Dalmane) | High |
Amitriptyline (Elavil) | High |
Chlordiazepoxide-amitriptyline (Limbitrol) | High |
Perphenazine-amitriptyline (Triavil) | High |
Doxepin (Sinequan) | High |
Meprobarnate (Miltown, Equanil) | High |
Lorazepam (>3 mg) (Ativan) | High |
Oxazepam (>60 mg) (Serax) | High |
Alprazolam (> 2 mg) (Xanax) | High |
Ternazepam (>15 mg) (Restoril) | High |
Triazolam (>0.25 mg) (Halcion) | High |
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) | High |
Chlordiazepoxide-arnitriptyline (Limbitrol) | High |
Clidinium-chlordiazepoxide (Librax) | High |
Diazepam (Valium) | High |
Quazepam (Doral) | High |
Halazepam (Paxipam) | High |
Chlorazepate (Tranxene) | High |
Disopyramide (Norpace, Norpace CR) | High |
Digoxin ( >0.125 mg/d, except if treating atrial arrythmias) (Lanoxin) | Low |
Short-acting dipyridamole (Persantine) | Low |
Methyldopa (Aldomet) | High |
Methyldopa-hydrochlorothiazide (Aldoril) | High |
Reserpine (>0.25 mg) | Low |
Chlorpropamide (Diabinese) | High |
Dicyclomine (Bentyl) | High |
Hyoscyamine (Levsin, Levsinex) | High |
Propantheline (Pro-Banthine) | High |
Belladonna alkaloids (Donnatal and others) | High |
Clidinium-chlordiazepoxide (Librax) | High |
Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton) | High |
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) | High |
Hydroxyzine (Vistaril, Atarax) | High |
Cyproheptadine (Periactin) | High |
Promethazine (Phenergan) | High |
Tripelennamine | High |
Dexchlorpheniramine (Polaramine) | High |
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) | High |
Ergot mesyloids (Hydergine) | Low |
Cyclandelate (Cyclospasmol) | Low |
Ferrous sulfate (>325 mg/d) | Low |
All barbituates (except phenobarbital) except to control seizures | High |
Meperidine (Demerol) | High |
Ticlopidine (Ticlid) | High |
Ketorolac (Toradol) | High |
Amphetamines and anorexic agents | High |
Naproxen (long-term use of full dosage) (Naprosyn, Avaprox, Aleve) | High |
Oxaprozin (long-term use of full dosage) (Daypro) | High |
Piroxicam (long-term use of full dosage) (Feldene) | High |
Daily fluoxetine (Prozac) | High |
Bisacodyl (long-term use) (Dulcolax) | High |
Casacara sagrada (long-term use) | High |
Neoloid except in presence of opiate analgesic use (long-term use) | High |
Amiodarone (Cordarone) | High |
Orphenadrine (Norflex) | High |
Guanethidine (Ismelin) | High |
Guanadrel (Hylorel) | High |
Cyclandelate (Cyclospasmol) | Low |
Isoxsurpine (Vasodilan) | Low |
Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin) | High |
Doxazosin (Cardura) | Low |
Methyltestosterone (Android, Virilon, Testrad) | High |
Thioridazine (Mellaril) | High |
Mesoridazine (Serentil) | High |
Short-acting nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat) | High |
Clonidine (Catapres) | Low |
Mineral oil | High |
Cimetidine (Tagamet) | Low |
Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin) | Low |
Desiccated thyroid | High |
Amphetamines (excluding methylphenidate hydrochloride and anorexics) | High |
Estrogens only (oral) | Low |
Note: For your own health and safety, do not stop taking any medication unless you have consulted with your doctor and have her approval.
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:
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.
RESOURCES:
FirstGov.gov for Seniors
http://www.seniors.gov/
National Council on the Aging
http://www.ncoa.org/
US Administration on Aging
http://www.aoa.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Seniors
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/seniors-aines/index-eng.php/
Seniors Health
Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/sh-sa-eng.php/
References:
Avorn J. Improving drug use in elderly patients. JAMA. 2001;286:2866-2868.
Common errors in prescribing for the elderly. Emergency Medicine. 2002;6:21-25.
Dharmarajan TS, Tota R. Appropriate use of medications in older adults. Family Practice Recertification. 2000;22:29-38.
Fick DM, Cooper JW, Wade WE. Updating the Beers criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults: results of a US consensus panel of experts. Arch Intern Med. 2003;163:2716-2724.
Lantz MS. Problems with polypharmacy. Clinical Geriatrics. 2002;10:16-20.
Merck Manual of Geriatrics Rahway, NJ: Merck & Co, Inc; 2000.
Zhan C, Sangl J, Bierman AS, et al. Potentially inappropriate medication use in the community-dwelling elderly. JAMA. 2001;286:2823-2829.
Last reviewed January 2009 by Jill D. Landis, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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