I recently attended a seminar held at Senior Concerns that posed an important question: Is it aging, or is it the medication? Andrea Simon, a hospital pharmacist, presented and shared some of the medication-related issues she has encountered in her work over the years.
Older adults visit the emergency room for medication-related problems more than twice as often as younger adults, even when they are taking their medications exactly as prescribed. This is alarming and highlights just how complex medications can be.
As we age, our body changes. This means medications we may have taken safely for years can affect us differently later in life. Our kidneys and liver may process medications more slowly, and our brains can become more sensitive to certain medications.
Andrea explained that these problems often aren’t caused by a single medication, but by the combination of medications a person is taking. She encouraged the audience to pay close attention to their symptoms and to review their medications regularly.
Many people see multiple specialists, and each provider may prescribe different medications without fully understanding the full list and how they all interact. One of the most important recommendations is to maintain one master list of medications. Include over-the-counter medications and supplements, too. Just because they are over the counter does not mean they have no risks or potential for interactions.
Sometimes a medication cascade can occur. This is when a person ends up taking additional medication to treat side effects caused by another medication. For example, you get prescribed a blood pressure pill, and this has a side effect of causing you to have swollen ankles.
Without realizing the medication causes the swelling, you might mistake it for a new medical problem. Now your doctor might prescribe a water pill, or diuretic, to treat the swelling. That water pill may interrupt your sleep schedule and cause other added problems.
This is the cascade effect. A side effect is mistaken for a new medical condition, leading to another prescription. Over time, the medication list continues to grow.
The main takeaway of this presentation is the importance of having regular medication reviews. Many health insurance plans cover a Comprehensive Medication Review (CMR). Call your pharmacy to see whether they offer this service and to schedule a consultation visit or phone call.
Be sure to bring your full medication list, including over-the-counter items. Here are some helpful questions to ask: What is this medication for? Is this still helping me? Could this be causing my symptoms? Is this still the right dose for me? Can we safely reduce or simplify this list?
One person in the audience asked whether doctors should prescribe exercise. It sparked an interesting conversation about the benefits of exercise, diet, and lifestyle improvements for overall health.
Senior Concerns is offering a free online seminar on this topic called “BRAIN HEALTH BOOSTER: Food, Mood, & Function” to understand the impact of dietary choices on your mental health and cognition. It will be held on Thursday, September 17th from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. over Zoom. You can register at https://www.seniorconcerns.org/programs/seminars/ or call 805-497-0189 to learn more.
As we age, our bodies can respond differently to medications. The chances of side effects and interactions increase when multiple medications are prescribed. The best way to stay informed and be an active partner in your own health is to keep an updated master list of medications and to review it frequently with your doctor or pharmacist.
Martha Shapiro can be reached at Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189 or by email at mshapiro@seniorconcerns.org.
