Swallowing a handful of pills is a daily ritual for many people, from young adults coping with anxiety to older adults managing chronic conditions. Overall, 13% of people in the U.S.
take five or more prescription drugs. For those 65 and older, that number is 42%. If you’re taking multiple meds, it’s smart to be aware of potential problems.
One pill can lead to a side effect, leading to another pill and another side effect in what experts call a “prescribing cascade.” Some drugs can cause harm if taken for years. Others stop working or interact badly with a new drug.
A drug tolerated well at first can cause side effects later, leading to cognitive decline and injuries from falls. “Our metabolism changes as we get older,” said Dr. Elizabeth Bayliss, who studies deprescribing at Kaiser Permanente’s Institute for Health Research in Aurora, Colorado.
“Everyone’s ability to metabolize the medications they’ve been taking for a long time may change.” The nonprofit Lown Institute calls the whole situation a medication overload that will cause 4.6 million hospital visits this decade.
If your daily pill routine is getting out of hand, ask for a medication review. Here’s how to get started with a process called “deprescribing." Ask for a prescription checkup Start with a professional you trust, like a doctor or pharmacist, said Lisa McCarthy, a pharmacist and deprescribing expert at the University of Toronto.
If you’re asking your doctor, don’t wait until t.