Medication Side Effects

As we age, we tend to get more side effects from lesser amounts of drugs. This is because the body mechanisms that eliminate drugs from our system are less effective; our liver and kidneys do not work as quickly to excrete these substances from the body. Drug side effects become extremely common, and most of them are not even recognized. Instead, the side effects are thought of as problems in their own right. Common drugs like codeine can cause depression and sleepiness. Simple tranquilizers like valium can muddy your thinking and your memory. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs become more irritating to your stomach, even though you may not feel the early symptoms as keenly. Somewhere between 10 to 20 percent of hospital admissions for seniors are the direct result of medication side effects. Most of the medications that cause the side effects were not medically required.

Prevention

This potential problem needs constant orientation. We tend to gradually accumulate an overflowing medicine chest. New drugs are started more frequently than older ones are discontinued. Usually, your entire medication program is seldom reviewed at the same time, either by you or by your doctor.

There is only one sure way to avoid medication side effects, and that is to take no medications at all. At the most basic level, you should always ask yourself whether elimination of all medicines might be possible. Of you think this might be possible, then talk it over to your doctor. At the least, you and your doctor develop a plan that involves many fewer medications, even if they cannot all be eliminated.

You can stop over-the-counter drugs by yourself. Ask yourself if you really need the medication. Try for a while without it and see if and problems come up. Talk over many questions with your doctor. Repeat this process at least every six months and prune your medications back to those that are truly essential.