Inspiring Relationships Forums Catalog People over age 65 make up 12 percent of the American population, but they take 25 percent of all prescription drugs sold in this country. Because they may have a number of diseases or disabilities at the same time, it is common for older people to take many different drugs.
Drugs can be wonderful tools for the care of people of all ages.
Many people over age 65 owe their lives in part to new and improved medicines and vaccines. But for older adults, drug use may have risks, especially when several medicines are used at one time. In general, drugs act differently in older people than in younger people. This may be due to normal changes in the body that happen with age. This can make a difference in how long a drug stays in your body and how much of the drug your body absorbs.