Adult Health Advisor 2001.1 Medicine-Related Problems in Older Adults When used properly, medicines can reduce the need for surgery and hospital care or make them unnecessary, prevent premature death, and help you to live independently. Improper use of medicines, however, may pose significant risks for older people.
All drugs can have side effects, even nonprescription medicines.
And not all medicines can be taken together safely. It is important for you to know the correct doses of all your medicines, what side effects to watch for, and whether all your medicines are safe when taken together. The following medicines that are widely used by many older adults may present special concerns. Medicines Ask your doctor to help you determine the proper dosage of OTC medicines you are taking. The amounts recommended on the package may be too high, especially when mixed with prescription medicines.