Medication misuse on the rise among elderly
Staff writer
The Department of Health and Human Services issued a news release to educate older adults as well as the public on the misuse of prescription medicines among the elderly.
Brochures and information packets, As You Age, have been distributed to the media, doctors, and older adults to inform the public about "the inherent dangers of prescription medication misuse and to encourage (older adults) to talk to their health care professionals about the medications they are taking."
According to the news release, data shows older adults often misuse prescription medications or mix them with alcohol, "placing themselves at risk for harmful — even fatal — drug interactions."
An article in Medicine & Behavior reported that elderly individuals use prescription drugs approximately three times as frequently as the general population and the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications by this group is even more extensive.
The article stated misuse can be done consciously or unconsciously. The misuse is described as consuming medications in a "manner that deviates from the recommended prescribed dose or instruction by a physician."
Misuse, according to the article, may include "overuse because of a belief that more is better, as well as underuse due to cost issues or a method to avoid side effects."
Local pharmacist Lou Greenhaw stressed getting medicines from the same pharmacy will help the doctor as well as the pharmacist to alert patients of any possible drug interactions.
"It is impossible for a doctor or pharmacist to remember every possible drug-to-drug interaction," Greenhaw said.
"That is why it is important to get all medications at one pharmacy because almost all U.S. pharmacies have powerful computer programs that scan every prescription to see if it interacts with any other prescription," she said.
Greenhaw also added if a problem is found, the pharmacist will contact the doctor. She said most pharmacies will check to see if an OTC medication will go with a person's prescription medicines if the prescriptions were filled at that particular pharmacy.
Dr. Michael Reeh, local physician and a geriatrician, said patients should take medicines as prescribed and not stop taking medicines unless told to by their doctor.
"After reading a news article this morning (Tuesday) about President Bill Clinton, I want to stressed that to patients," Dr. Reeh said.
Dr. Reeh said the article stated President Clinton was taking medicine to reduce his cholesterol. When he lost weight, he stopped taking it. Doctors found out that his cholesterol level was extremely high when the President underwent heart bypass surgery.
An article from Baptist Hospital East, a member of Baptist Health Care System, stated physicians estimate that as many as 70 percent of all hospitalized seniors and up to half of all nursing home residents have alcohol and or drug-related problems.
The key, as with anyone, but especially the elderly, is to inform your physician on any medications you may be taking, prescribed or OTC. Also, be honest in whether or not you drink alcohol and how much you consume each day.
Dr. Reeh recommends patients bring all prescription medicines, OTC medicines, herbal supplements, and vitamins when they visit the doctor.
"If they cannot bring the actual bottles, they should have an accurate account of each one they are taking," Dr. Reeh said.
Dr. Reeh also stressed that patients take the medicine as it is prescribed and if problems arise, inform their doctors.
How can family members, health care staff, and physicians help? Realize that as the body grows older there are many changes. With these changes, the body may react differently to drugs in an middle-aged adult than in someone who is over 70 years of age.
"Every person is different and has different health problems," Greenhaw said.
Greenhaw reiterated that it is unsafe and could be fatal to take someone else's prescriptions. The doctor takes into account a person's size, kidney function, liver function, and allergies before he prescribes medication. The pharmacist screens for allergies and appropriate dosing before the prescription is filled.
Another issue that Greenhaw addressed was the removing of medication from its original container. Only when the medications is being placed in a daily or weekly planner should this be done.
"Because tablets and capsules may change in appearance from one time to the next," Greenhaw said. "It can be hard to remember what medication it actually is if it is not properly labeled."
United Way Texas Gulf Coast senior reference guide also adds a few other causes for medication misuse among the elderly.
Additional causes include the need to take two or more medications to handle one or more medical problems which may increase the risk for reactions; older people may not understand how to take their medication; and they may no be instructed properly on how to take medications by their doctor or pharmacist.
According to the article, there are few signs loved ones and friends can look for of possible drug misuse or abuse. They include changes in sleeping or eating patterns; confusion or disorientation; malnutrition; poor hygiene; neglecting one's appearance; slurred speech; incontinence or difficulty urinating; complaints of blurred vision or dry mouth; tremors; shakiness; and frequent falls and bruising. These symptoms can also be caused by many different medical problems.
It is very important for elderly patients' friends and loved ones to observe the elderly and respond with the appropriate action to receive help if drug misuse is suspected.
