The Basics
Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate � �
Are some medicines unsafe for older people? " � Yes, some medicines that are safe for younger adults are not safe for older adults. Thats because as people get older, unwanted or harmful side effects from certain medicines become more common. Plus, the medicines last longer in the body. � �
The next time you see your doctor or nurse, put all the medicines you take into a bag and bring them with you. Make sure you include: � �
- All your prescription medicines
- All the non-prescription medicines you take, including vitamins and medicines such as Tylenol or Advil
- Any herbal or "natural " � products you take
During your visit: � �
- Ask if you should still be taking all of the medicines you currently take. People sometimes end up taking more medicines than they really need.
- Ask whether the combination of medicines you take could cause a problem or "drug interaction. " � A drug interaction is when a medicine, food, or supplement changes the effects of another medicine.
- Tell your doctor or nurse about any symptoms you are having that you think are due to 1 of your medicines. He or she might be able to lower your dose, switch you to a different medicine, or deal with the symptoms in other ways.
- Tell your doctor or nurse if you can't afford your medicines. He or she might be able to switch you to a less expensive medicine or suggest other solutions.
Interactions " � Sometimes 2 medicines that are safe to take by themselves are actually unsafe to take together. When certain medicines are taken together, they can cause serious side effects or other problems. This can happen not just when 2 medicines are combined, but also when a medicine is combined with a specific food, or an herbal drug. Here are some examples: � �
- Warfarin (brand name: Coumadin) + ginkgo biloba " � The prescription medicine warfarin helps keep blood clots from forming. People take it to prevent strokes, heart attacks, and other problems. Ginkgo biloba is an herbal drug that is popular in the US. People take it for lots of reasons, including the hope that it will keep them mentally sharp. But when the 2 drugs are taken together, they can seriously increase the risk of bleeding.
- Saint John's wort + antidepressants " � The herbal drug Saint John's wort can help with mild forms of depression. But people sometimes take it when they're already taking an antidepressant. This combination can have dangerous consequences. It can lead to a condition called serotonin syndrome, which is life-threatening.
Side effects " � People of all ages can have side effects from medicines, but older people are more likely to have some side effects. For example, older people are more likely to feel sleepy, confused, dizzy, or unsteady with certain medicines. This can be especially dangerous for them, because it increases the chances that they will fall. � �
If you tend to feel sleepy, confused, dizzy, or unsteady, tell your doctor or nurse. Your medicines might or might not be the reason for your symptoms. Either way, it's important for your doctor or nurse to know about them. And if the symptoms are side effects of your medicines, your doctor or nurse might be able to lower your dose, switch you to a different medicine, or offer another solution. � �
A common side effect in older men is trouble urinating. A number of different medicines can cause this side effect, including allergy medicines or sleeping pills. Talk to your doctor if you start a new medicine and find you have trouble starting the flow of urine, or your urine stream is weaker than it used to be. � �
Ways to protect yourself " � To lower the chances that you'll have problems related to the medicines you take, follow these steps: � �
- Make sure that your main doctor, and any other doctor or nurse who prescribes medicines for you knows about all of the medicines you take. This includes any over-the-counter or herbal medicines you use on a regular basis. Ask your doctor or nurse to go over all your medicines with you at least once a year.
- Keep a list of all the medicines you take that includes the dose you take, your reason for taking it, and the doctor or nurse who prescribed it. You can find an example of this kind of list at the following Web site: www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/ucm079489.htm.
- Anytime your doctor or nurse puts you on a new medicine, ask:
- Why am I taking this medicine?
- What are the common problems to watch out for?
- What should I do if they happen?
- When should I stop this medicine?
- Can I take this medicine with the other medicines on my list?
- What will happen if I don't take this medicine?
- When you pick up a new prescription, ask your pharmacist if there are foods, supplements, or other medicines that you should avoid while taking your medicine. Your pharmacist is a great resource. Ask him or her any questions you might have about your medicines.
- Keep medicines in their original containers and read the instructions that come with them.
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. � �
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. � �
Topic 16625 Version 8.0 � �
Release: 22.8 - C22.208 � �
� � 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �
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