OTC Medication Safety for Older Adults
10/20/2022
Many older adults take
three or more medications each day, according to the National Council on Patient Information (NCPIE). Although older
adults make up only about 13 percent of the United States population, it’s
estimated they account for 39 percent of all over-the-counter (OTC) medication
use.
October is Talk About
Your Medicines Month and this year’s theme is “Medication Safety & Aging.”
This month, Aspirus Health aims to empower older patients to reduce medication
risks, boost medication benefits and provide tips for staying safe when it
comes to their OTC medications.
“Bodies change as they
age and how medications interact with our bodies changes as well,” says Megan
Fleischman, a clinical pharmacist who is completing her first year of pharmacy
residency at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. “Understanding the OTC products in your
medicine cabinet and how to use them properly over time is an important part of
maintaining health.”
The National Council on Patient
Information and Education (NCPIE) and the U.S. Food & Drug
Administration offer the following tips to help people stay safe:
1. Understand your medications. Learning
medicine-related terms and reading your medicine labels are crucial first
steps. Labels help you avoid side effects, prevent medication interactions and
instruct you in how to properly take the medicine.
2. Communicate with your provider. Some OTC
medicines can affect the way prescription medicines work or how they are used
by the body. Many of these challenges can be prevented if you
are informed about safe and appropriate medication use.
“OTC medications can
cause side effects or bad reactions, especially if taking them incorrectly or
combining with other medications,” says Fleischman. “Always talk with your
provider or pharmacist about all medications you take.”
3. Use extra caution with pain medications. Older
adults use pain relievers more often than any other age group. This group is
also more prone to side effects from these medications, so it’s important to
know some of the safety concerns. There are different types of
OTC pain meds. Make sure you choose the pain reliever that
is right for you. Check the medicine ingredients and follow
the drug facts label.
“Most OTC medications
are only meant to be used for a short time, so be sure to talk to your provider
or pharmacist if taking one becomes a regular habit,” adds Fleischman.
Aspirus Health has
pharmacies located throughout the system. To find one near you, visit www.aspirus.org/find-a-location.
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