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Prescription drug safety
Medications often play an increasingly important role in our lives as we grow older. As we age, we are more likely to be prescribed more than one kind of medication, and many older adults take four or more (polypharmacy). This increases the risk for side effects and for one drug to affect whether and how another drug works. What does the evidence say? Read more below.
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Vaginal estrogen relieves common menopause symptoms
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New blood thinners prove to be safe and effective option for most
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When it might be wise to stop taking certain medications
Certain drugs can increase risk for falls or confusion in older adults. Regularly review your medication with your doctor to reduce these risks. -
Urinary incontinence in aging females: When can medications help?
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Treating behavioural problems of dementia: When confusion leads to controversy
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Polypharmacy, part 4. Medication review encourages best use and reduces adverse effects.
Periodically ask a healthcare provider to check your medications. This can ensure the least harm and most benefit overall, and reduce drugs taken and interactions in polypharmacy. -
Polypharmacy, part 3. Online drug interaction checkers to assess side effects.
Online drug interaction checkers are useful, but have some problems with identifying adverse effects. Always talk to a healthcare provider to confirm your risk for side effects. -
Polypharmacy, part 2. Risk of drug effects with multiple medications in the elderly: aging changes.
Aging may change the effects and risk profile of different drugs. Polypharmacy may increase, decrease, or cancel effects of different drugs, foods, and supplements. -
Polypharmacy, part 1. Pitfalls of multiple medications: taking multiple drugs and risk of interactions.
Many older Canadians are taking multiple medications (polypharmacy) to manage their health conditions. Taking 5 or more medications can increase your risk of drug interactions. -
Recognize and prevent delirium (confusion and agitation) when in hospital.
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Multimorbidity: how to improve quality of life when managing several chronic health conditions
If you have 3 or more health conditions, ask your family doctor about better ways to coordinate your care with other health professionals, and how you might decrease important health risks or improve key functional activities.
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