Medicine safety is important at any age, but older adults are more likely to take medication as they manage the aches, pains, and health problems that often come with age. Studies show that nine out of ten adults 65 years and older report that they take prescription medicine, and older adults account for 30% of over-the-counter (OTC) medicine use.1,2 This along with possible dietary supplement and vitamin use, puts older adults at risk of problems such as drug interactions, dosing errors, or unwanted side effects. To help you take your medicine safely as you age, follow these six tips.
1. Read the Label and follow directions
No matter how many times you have used a medicine in the past, take the time to read the label and directions before using it. Put on your glasses, turn on the lights, and follow instructions carefully. Don’t keep unneeded or expired medicine around. This puts yourself and others at risk for poisoning. Many police stations and pharmacies have take-back boxes where you can safely dispose of medicine. Find a location in your area.
2. Keep track of your medicine schedule
There are many ways to keep track of when and how to take your medicine to help avoid a mishap. Here are a few that may work for you:
- Use one pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions. This should alert the pharmacist to drug interactions which can happen when two or more medicines combine to create an unwanted effect.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist to help schedule your medicines to be as simple as possible.
- Use a calendar either on your phone or on paper and set reminders or check off medicines as you take them.
- Use a pill organizer with medicine divided out by day and time. Locking ones are the safest if kids are around, and use different color pill organizers if more than one person in your household uses one to avoid a mix up. Pharmacies may also be able to package your medicine by day and time if you ask for this.
3. Look to the best sources for health information
Social media and TV ads, and internet websites are common places where health information is found. However, misinformation is widely spread and may cause harm. If you search online look for websites that end with .gov, .edu, or .org in the web address. They usually have more reliable information. But the best resource is your doctor or pharmacist when it comes to medicine. Make sure you tell them about any prescription, OTC medicine, or dietary supplements you are taking. The poison center is also a great resource. The pharmacists and medical doctors that handle calls will answer your medicine and poison related questions with up-to-date information.
4. Ask Key Medication Questions
It’s important to stay informed and ask questions anytime you take something new for your health including prescription medicine, OTC medicine, and dietary supplements. Here are some key questions to ask your doctor or pharmacist:
- What is the name of my medicine?
- Why am I taking this medicine?
- How much and how often do I take this?
- What should I do if I miss a dose or double the dose of my medicine?
- What side effects could I have?
- While taking this medicine, should I avoid alcohol, driving, certain foods, drinks, medicines, vitamins, or herbals products?
- Can I stop taking this medicine if I feel better?
5. Remember that natural does not always mean safe
Combinations of certain medicines with other medicines, juice, and dietary supplements or vitamins may change the way medicine works. Just because a product is natural, doesn’t mean it’s safe. It is important to tell your doctor about all vitamins, and supplements you are taking and if there is anything you need to avoid while taking your medication.
6. Call the Poison Help line
Whether you call ahead to prevent a problem, or you have a medicine mishap, poison control is always there when you need it. Medication problems can happen to anyone. Here are a few real calls to poison control from older adults:
- “I took one of my medicines, forgot I did, and then took a second dose 30 minutes later.”
- “How do my prescription medicines interact with the over-the-counter medicines and supplements I take?”
- “I accidentally used my ear drops in my eyes. What should I do?”
Don’t hesitate to call poison control anytime day or night, even if you’re not sure it’s a problem. Don’t wait for symptoms to start…call right away. Our caring and non-judgmental health care professionals will help you know what to do next and it’s completely free of charge. The number is 1-800-222-1222. Save the number in your phone now, to save time later.
References
- Cohen RA, Mykyta L. Prescription medication use, coverage, and nonadherence among adults age 65 and older: United States, 2021–2022. National Health Statistics Reports; no 209. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2024. DOI: https://dx.doi. org/10.15620/cdc/160016.
- Stone JA, Lester CA, Aboneh EA, Phelan CH, Welch LL, Chui MA. A preliminary examination of over-the-counter medication misuse rates in older adults. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2017 Jan-Feb;13(1):187-192. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2016.01.004. Epub 2016 Jan 18. PMID: 26853833; PMCID: PMC4949161. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4949161/