When it comes to geriatric drug safety, the practice of prescribing and managing medications for older adults to minimize harm and maximize benefit. Also known as safe prescribing for the elderly, it’s not just about giving the right pill—it’s about avoiding the ones that could hurt more than help. People over 65 take an average of four to five prescription drugs every day. That number jumps to eight or more for those in long-term care. Each extra pill adds risk—and most doctors don’t have time to check how all those drugs work together.
This is where polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications by a patient, often leading to harmful interactions. Also known as medication overload, it’s one of the biggest threats to older adults. A drug that’s fine for a 30-year-old might build up in an older person’s body because their kidneys and liver don’t clear it as fast. That’s called age-related pharmacokinetics, how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes drugs differently as we age. Also known as changes in drug processing with aging, it’s why low doses often work better for seniors. Even common painkillers like ibuprofen or naproxen can cause stomach bleeds or kidney damage in older patients. Blood thinners like warfarin? One small interaction with a new antibiotic or supplement can send someone to the ER.
And it’s not just about the drugs themselves. Many seniors are prescribed meds for conditions that don’t even exist anymore—like using sleep aids for fatigue caused by depression, or anticholinergics for overactive bladder that make memory worse. The system isn’t broken; it’s just not built for complexity. But you can fight back. Start by asking your doctor: "Is this still needed?" "Could this interact with anything else I take?" "Is there a safer alternative?" Keep a full list of everything you take—prescriptions, supplements, even herbal teas—and bring it to every appointment. That simple step cuts hospital visits by nearly 30% in real-world studies.
Below, you’ll find clear, no-fluff comparisons of medications commonly used by older adults—from pain relievers and blood thinners to antibiotics and sleep aids. Each post breaks down what works, what doesn’t, and what to avoid. No marketing. No hype. Just facts you can use to protect yourself or someone you love.
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