Overmedicating the elderly (Polypharmacy)

Hi folks.  This is hitting too close to home, so I thought I’d repost this article that I wrote from 2012. It’s quite surprising and frustrating to see that this is a common problem.

One thing that everyone can agree on is the fact that drugs can and do save lives.  But as with all drugs, there are many side effects.  And the more drugs you take at one time, the greater the risk of most often serious reactions.  This problem called “overmedicating”, has really become an epidemic among our elderly.

A good example is that of an 83 year old lady who was rushed to the hospital, according to the Washington Post, who had to be hospitalized for an asthma attack.  Once admitted to the hospital, she was prescribed steroids for the asthma, which made her blood pressure too high and caused vertigo.  So to counter, the hospital prescribed a blood pressure medicine which made her dizzy.

Then while a patient in the hospital, her ankles began to swell so she was given a water pill, which in turn caused her level of potassium to bottom out, so the doctors added potassium supplements.  But her story gets even more interesting as she was given a drug to treat osteoporosis, which eventually lead to gastric bleeding.

The article quoted the grandmother as saying, “I came out sicker than I went
in.””When prescribed a medication, do not be afraid to ask your doctor if you really need it.” – The University of Oklahoma’s Department of Gerontology

parentgiving.com

Pharmacists though say, this lady’s problem is seen quite often.  Pharmacist Weinstein, owner of a Chevy Chase, Maryland pharmacy eventually was able to reduce the number of drugs the grandmother was taking and return her to better health.

Overmedication, or polypharmacy, as it is more technically referred to, is more
common among the elderly. As we age we are prone to more chronic conditions that
require medication. At the same time, an aging body tolerates drugs differently and metabolizes drugs more slowly than it did when we were young, making drug interaction a greater concern. Many seniors mix over the counter drugs and dietary supplements with prescription drugs in the mistaken belief that they will have little or no impact because of their nonprescription status.

PSYCHIATRIC AFFECTS

One of the most common side affects seen in the elderly is on cognition and the mental capacity.  Seniors who are overmedicated have been mistakenly diagnosed with depression, dementia, and even Alzheimer’s disease. 

Nancy Burns is one such case, as her adult children discovered her stumbling in her home confused and incoherent.  They took her to the emergency room where doctors thought she had had a stroke.  And even later a neurologist diagnosed  her with dementia or Alzheimer’s.  But her children didn’t trust the diagnosis.  They then took her to The University of Oklahoma’s Department of Gerontology for another
opinion.

The doctor there said, “I do not think your mother has Alzheimer’s or [dementia]
I think she is overmedicated.” Turns out the doctor was right. Apparently she
had seen several different doctors for manic depression and each had prescribed
a powerful medication, so that she was taking eight different ones. Now, down to
four, she has recovered and is doing well.  parentgiving.com

AVOIDING OVERMEDICTION

The easiest way to prevent this, is get a list of all the prescriptions the elderly are taking, and research.  Find out the side effects, and dosage.  Also look for drug interactions.  When prescribed a medication do not be afraid to ask your doctor if you really need it. Nancy’s case underscores the need to always carry your medical history with you that includes all drugs you are taking, even OTC and supplements, and share it with all health care providers. In the resource links following this article, you can find a list of drugs commonly taken by seniors with potentially hazardous interactions, and a drug interaction tool.

• Posted in: Current Events ♦ Decisions ♦ Drug Laws & Facts ♦ Elderly News ♦ General
• Tagged: Overmedicating the elderly (Polypharmacy)