Doctors Should Keep an Eye on Your Mix of Medication. If They Don’t, You Should.
There’s a term for reducing unnecessary or harmful drugs: “deprescribing.” Especially as patients age, experts say, it’s important to regularly review the medications they’re taking.
As we age, the number of medications we take can quickly accumulate, leading to potential side effects and interactions. According to physician K. Eric De Jonge at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, having six or more prescriptions significantly increases the likelihood of experiencing adverse reactions or intolerances. In her column "The New Old Age" for The New York Times and KFF Health News, Paula Span discusses common medications that older patients often overuse, such as aspirin, benzodiazepines, and antibiotics.
Span emphasizes the importance of patients and caregivers being proactive, as doctors may not always be aware of the latest research, and patients may simply follow a routine, failing to question whether they still need certain drugs. Experts and pharmacists advise consulting with a doctor to ensure that the medications being taken are still appropriate, as not all older adults require benzodiazepines, antibiotics, or daily aspirin, and taking these medications can pose increased risks.
Written by urgent.news from KFF Health News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
