A Seniors Guide to Medicines
12/17/2013
Drug Interactions Can Be Deadly[/caption] Medicines: What You Should Know
Medicines and Aging: As we age, we may be faced with increased health conditions that we’ll need to treat with medicines on a regular basis. That said, it’s important to know that the use of medicines, along with normal body changes caused by aging, can increase the chance of unwanted or maybe even harmful drug interactions. The more you know about your medicines, and the more you talk with your health care professionals, the easier it is to avoid health issues caused by different medicines. Also, growing older means that our bodies respond differently to alcohol than it did when we were younger. You’ll want to keep that in mind as well, as you take your medications.Seniors Need To Be Aware That:
- Some of medicines don’t mix well with other medications, including over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies.
- Many medications do not mix well with alcohol.
- Changes in body weight can influence the amount of medicines you need to take and how long they stay in your body. Body circulation may slow down, which can affect how quickly drugs get to the liver and kidneys.
- In addition, the liver and kidneys may work slower, which can affect how a drug breaks down and is eliminated from the body. Due to these changes, medicines may remain in your body longer and create a greater chance of interaction.
To guard against potential problems with medicines, become knowledgeable about your medication and how they make you feel.
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What To Do:
- Read the Labels of Your Medications Carefully – Follow the Directions.
- Look for Pictures or Statements on Your Prescriptions and Pill Bottles These pictures or statements may tell you not to drink alcohol while taking the particular medication. If you’re taking medications for sleeping, pain, anxiety, or depression, it’s unsafe to drink alcohol.
- Limit your Alcoholic Beverages One alcoholic drink a day is the recommended limit for anyone over the age of 65 who has not been diagnosed with a drinking problem. That’s 12 ounces of beer, 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, or 5 ounces of wine.
- Tell your Doctor All the Medicines You Take. Talk to your health care professional about all medicines you take, including prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbals.
- Tell your Doctor about Any Food or Medicine Allergies you have.
- Keep Track of Side Effects Let your doctor know immediately about any unexpected symptoms or changes in the way you feel.
- Trash Old and Expired Medicines Go through your medicine cabinet at least once a year to get rid of old or expired medicines.
- Review Your Medicines Yearly with Doctor Have all of your medicines reviewed by your doctor at least once a year
- Memory trouble after having a drink or taking medicine
- Loss of coordination (walking unsteadily, frequent falls)
- Changes in sleeping habits
- Unexplained bruises
- Being unsure of yourself
- Irritability, sadness, depression
- Unexplained chronic pain
- Changes in eating habits
- Wanting to stay alone a lot of the time
- Failing to bathe or keep clean
- Having trouble finishing sentences
- Having trouble concentrating
- Difficulty staying in touch with family or friends
- Lack of interest in usual activities
- Talk with your doctor or other health care professional. They can check your health and discuss treatment options with you.
- Ask for advice from a staff member at a senior center or other program in which you participate.
- Share your concerns with a friend, family member, or spiritual advisor.
- Make a list for your doctor of all your medications.
- Remind your doctor or pharmacist about any previous conditions that might affect your ability to take certain medicines, such as allergies, a stroke, hypertension, serious heart disease, liver problems, or lung disease.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you want more information.
- Whenever possible, have your doctor or a member of the medical staff give you written advice or instructions.
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In the case of an emergency, call 911.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To talk to a health care information specialist about possible alcohol or drug misuse, or for dependency treatment referral, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at: (800) 662-HELP (4357) TDD (800) 487-4889 or visit www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov. For more information about your medicines, contact the Food and Drug Administration at: 888-INFO-FDA or visit www.fda.gov. If your loved one can no longer care for themselves or needs help with the activities of daily living, including medication reminders, call (888) WE-ASSIST. There are many alternatives and options available including home care agencies, adult day services, respite services as well as senior housing. You can also search for agencies and communities in your area at: AlternativesforSeniors.com.Remember you are not alone. Help is just a phone call away.
BLOG Date: December 17, 2013
Writer: Ryan Allen