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Although side effects are a common occurrence with most treatments, a significant portion of the population is more susceptible to the health risks associated with pharmaceuticals than the general population. If you are 65 years or older, your body may not be able to absorb some medications as well as it once did. Unfortunately, your doctor is not always aware of this, so it is your duty to be aware of these risks. Things can get tricky because most individuals are middle-aged and take an average of four prescription medications per day (1). Nevertheless, some authorities have provided valuable guidance on the health of older adults.
Top drugs for adults over 65 who have high health risks
Why Older Adults Have A Greater Health Risk From Prescription Medications
So what is age related? Your liver is the main organ responsible for breaking down drugs and can become less and less effective over time. It is important to remember that each person has a unique natural metabolism and doctors can find it challenging to determine a 100% safe dose of a prescription drug.
When a person has a fast metabolism of drugs, their drugs can be processed too quickly, making them less effective than intended; Conversely, when a person’s drug metabolism is slow, their drug may be absorbed in large amounts before being eliminated from the body, sometimes to a fatal extent (2).
Read More: 6 Types of Medications That Can Potentially Harm Your Kidneys
Kirby Lee, a pharmacist and associate professor of clinical pharmacy at the University of California at San Francisco explains:
Kirby Lee, NextAvenue.org
As your body gets older, it takes medicine differently. You may be more sensitive to some drugs because they may be processed differently by your liver and eliminated differently by your kidneys. It can be more difficult to prescribe medications to people 65 and older because some medications may be more toxic or have more adverse effects than they did when you were younger.”
By Pharmacist Kirby Lee, NextAvenue.org
To make matters even more complicated
Dietary changes can have unexpected effects on how your body processes drugs; Doctors cannot predict how your body will react to certain doses of medication, and unfortunately there are not many experts in this field. The American Geriatrics Society estimates that only 7,500 doctors in the United States specialize in treating elderly patients, according to Patricia Corrigan, a reporter for NextAvenue. With 46 million Americans currently over 65, there is one geriatrician for every 6,100 patients.
Which Medications Are More Dangerous for People Over 65?
American geriatrician Mark Beers, MD. created a famous list in 1991 of types of drugs and drug-related health concerns that were particularly dangerous for the elderly. Now referred to as the Beer criteria, this list is often shared and updated by geriatricians in the United States. States with new prescription drug development.
The purpose of the criteria is to raise awareness among elderly patients and their physicians that their body composition and the effects of aging on the metabolic system may pose health risks that outweigh their intended benefits. It is important to be aware of your body’s specific needs and to ask questions and concerns with your pharmacist and healthcare provider, even if this is not intended to replace a doctor’s advice.
Read More: 13 Medication and Supplement Combinations That Should Avoided
The Beers Criteria: Download Printable List
- Benzodiazepines, including chlordiazepoxide (Librium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), and diazepam (Valium). Risk of falling and disorientation are side effects.
- Non-benzodiazepines: eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambion). Side effects of long-term use include delirium, higher chance of fractures and falls and
- Examples of anticholinergics are diphenhydramine-containing muscle relaxants, acetaminophen with diphenhydramine (Tylenol PM), and Benadryl with diphenhydramine. Some adverse effects include dry mouth, constipation, and disorientation.
- NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. One of the side effects is an increased risk of stomach and kidney problems.
Patricia Corrigan’s Story
Journalist Patricia Corrigan is the author of nineteen novels. She recently spoke about her own experience with a negative reaction to a prescription drug. Patricia’s narrative emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for your health and being aware of how your body changes. It is to be learned without much effort.