Prescription Medications and Their Impact on Older Adults

Older adults who take five or more prescription medications are at a significantly higher risk of death compared to those who take fewer drugs. A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reveals this alarming finding.

Understanding Polypharmacy

The research points to growing concerns about polypharmacy, a term for consuming five or more daily prescriptions. The study examined its long-term effects on an aging population.

Under the guidance of Dr. Alexander Chaitoff from the University of Michigan School of Medicine, researchers analyzed data from 7,828 adults aged 65 and older gathered between 1999 and 2016.

Methodology and Findings

Trained staff inspected participants’ pill bottles to confirm medication use from the past 30 days and followed their health outcomes for an average of 8.5 years. More than half of the participants, 54.3%, fell into one or more high-risk medication categories. The largest group, consisting of older adults taking five or more prescription drugs, exemplifies polypharmacy.

The study found that over 40% of older adults took five or more prescription medications. Another 37.6% used drugs deemed risky for the elderly, including those increasing the chances of confusion or falls. Additionally, 11.4% took combinations leading to major drug interactions.

Mortality Risk and Polypharmacy

After considering overall health and pre-existing conditions, the study associated taking five or more prescriptions with a 38% increase in mortality risk. Each additional medication correlated with a 7% increase in death risk.

According to medical experts at the Cleveland Clinic, multiple medications can lead to side effects, adverse reactions, and accidental overdose. The liver and kidneys, aging organs, become less efficient at processing drugs.

Considerations for Deprescribing

The study findings could assist doctors in identifying patients who could benefit from deprescribing, the process of reducing or stopping unnecessary medications safely.

Researchers noted limitations, highlighting that the study focused on older adults living independently, excluding those in nursing homes or assisted living. It relied on a single 30-day snapshot of medication use, showing associations but not direct causation of higher death risk.

Experts stress that observational studies show associations rather than causations. Older adults on many prescriptions often have severe or complex conditions, which also carry higher mortality risks.

Khloe Quill writes lifestyle articles for Fox News Digital, covering topics like food, travel, and health with her team.