SafetyIssues Personal and Public Safety News Articles: Drug Combos Could Be Risky for Seniors

Drug Combos Could Be Risky for Seniors
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Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 12/30/08 04:04:00
 
The research team from the University of Chicago noted an estimate given in a
recent report that seniors (age 65 and over) accounted for more than 175,000
visits to hospital emergency departments each year. These visits are due to
adverse reactions from drugs and one-third (33 percent) of these reactions arise
from interactions with commonly prescribed drugs.
For this study, the team analyzed survey data during the period June 2005 to
March 2006 involving more than 3,000 adults between ages 57 and 85, and the type
of medications (prescription and over-the-counter) they used.
They found that more than 8 of 10 (or 44.9 million older adults), particularly
seniors age 75 to 85, used prescription medicines.  In addition, nearly one-half
of older adults used at least one type of dietary supplement or over-the-counter
medication.
The key finding was that 68 percent of older Americans used prescription drugs
in combination with at least one dietary supplement or over-the-counter
medication. Of these people who combined their drugs, 4 percent were at risk of
suffering an adverse reaction from the drug interaction.
The risk of adverse reactions from the drug combinations becomes higher with
age, especially among women.
* The most common potentially dangerous interaction could lead to bleeding
problems. This involves the use of the blood thinner warfarin, a prescription
drug marketed under the brand name Coumadin, taken with common aspirin. Both
warfarin and aspirin are used to inhibit clotting, and the combination could
thus cause dangerous bleeding. Two million Americans are prescribed warfarin
because of stroke, heart attack, or major surgery.
* The cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin, which is marketed under the brand
name Zocor taken in combination with warfarin can also lead to bleeding.
* Lisinopril (or Prinivil brand) in combination with potassium supplements can
disrupt heart rhythms.
* Atorvastatin (Lipitor brand) or Simvastatin (Zocor brand) in combination with
the supplement niacin (vitamin B3) can cause muscle weakeness and muscle
breakdown.
The website of the U.S. National Library of Medicine contains more information
about interactions of various drugs.
Safety Tips:
* Keep a list of all medications in your wallet. Have your health care provider
check this list during every visit. If you see more than one provider, make sure
to inform each one of all medications.
* Buy your medications from only one pharmacy or pharmacy chain. This ensures
all of your drug information will be on one database, making it easier for the
pharmacist to check your list for possible adverse interactions.