In many homes, there is a plastic box full of tablets: for sugar, BP, cholesterol, pain, sleep, gas, vitamins. Medicines help, but when they pile up, they can also cause trouble.
The problem of many medicines
Taking five or more medicines is called polypharmacy, and it is very common in older people. The more medicines, the higher the chance of side effects, drug interactions, dizziness, falls and confusion.
Safety checklist
- Keep an updated list of all medicines, doses and why they are taken, including herbal and over-the-counter ones.
- Take all strips and bottles to every doctor visit.
- Use one pharmacy where possible.
- Use a pill box with days and times, or ask a family member to help.
- Check expiry dates and store in a cool, dry place.
- Do not share medicines.
Medicines to be careful with
- Painkillers such as diclofenac and ibuprofen can harm the stomach, kidneys and raise BP.
- Sleeping pills and some anti-anxiety tablets raise the risk of falls and confusion.
- Some antihistamines and acidity medicines when used for years.
- Sugar-lowering tablets or insulin that may cause low sugar in older people.
- BP tablets that drop pressure too much.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Do I still need every medicine?
- Can any dose be lowered or stopped?
- What side effects should I watch for?
- When should I take it, and with food or without?
- What if I miss a dose?
Never stop on your own
Do not stop BP, sugar, heart or thyroid medicines without speaking to your doctor. A planned review is safe and often helps lower the pill burden.
If you or your parents live in Gopanpally, Gowlidoddi, Nallagandla or Tellapur, our clinic in Gachibowli is easy to reach, and open daily from 6 AM to 9 PM. See our senior care services or contact us to book.
Keep reading
Your family doctor,
Akhila Reddy
MBBS, DNB (Family Medicine) | TSMC Reg. No. APMC/FMR/74261
AMC Hospital, Gopanpally, Gachibowli, Hyderabad
This article is for general health education and does not replace a check-up. Every person is different, so please speak to your doctor before changing any medicine. In an emergency, call 108 or go to the nearest hospital.
References
- American Geriatrics Society 2023 updated AGS Beers Criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2023;71(7):2052-2081.
- World Health Organization. Medication Without Harm: Global Patient Safety Challenge. 2017. https://www.who.int/initiatives/medication-without-harm
- Masnoon N et al. What is polypharmacy? A systematic review of definitions. BMC Geriatr 2017;17:230.