Seniors and Prescription Drugs

A high percentage of older adults rely on prescription drugs for their health. Find out what seniors need to know about taking prescription meds.  

Prescription drugs & the senior connection  

Prescription drugs are medications that require a written order from a licensed healthcare professional such as a doctor or nurse practitioner. Medical professionals prescribe these medications to prevent or treat medical conditions or disease. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based on National Health Statistics Report, in the years 2021-2022, 88.6% of older adults reported taking at least one prescription medication. This means that nearly nine out of ten older adults are prescribed and using prescription drugs. Additionally, those 75 and older are more likely to use prescription medications than those aged 65-74.

Requiring a prescription

Prescription drugs are typically purchased at a pharmacy and are dispensed by a pharmacist. These vital medications are intended for sole use by the person for whom it is prescribed. While over the counter (OTC) drugs are widely available on the shelves of pharmacies and other stores, unlike prescription drugs they do not require written authorization by a medical practitioner. They can be sold directly to consumers without the need for a prescription form. Note that most OTC drugs are regulated through a monograph system (frequently described as a type of “recipe book” that defines specific conditions for categories of OTC drugs; specifying active ingredients, doses, labeling requirements, and other conditions that are recognized as safe and effective). While prescription drugs are generally more potent than OTC products, the potential for side effects or interactions for each exists. Therefore, consult a medical doctor before adding or discontinuing medicinal products or nutritional ones to include vitamins and supplements.

Are prescription drugs FDA regulated?

In the United States, prescription drugs are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a federal agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA ensures that prescription drugs are safe and effective. The FDA regulates new drugs through a formal process called the New Drug Application (NDA). This is a vital step that drug sponsors take to gain FDA approval to market a new drug in the U.S. Per the FDA, “An NDA includes all animal and human data and analyses of the data, as well as information about how the drug behaves in the body and how it is manufactured.” Not only must drug companies first test their products, but they must be able to ensure that it is safe and effective. Before being tested on humans, laboratory and animal testing are typically performed by drug companies to see how well the drug works. FDA approval of a drug ultimately means that data on the drug’s effects are reviewed by the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) and that standards are met in terms of drug quality, safety, and effectiveness. For both brand name drugs and generic, they must work correctly, and health benefits must outweigh risks.

What should seniors know about prescription drugs?

Proper use of prescription and other medications is something that senior citizens should take seriously. Here are important considerations when taking prescription drugs with true to life examples:

• Benefits: Prescription medications are legally prescribed to help people. Doctors consider a patient’s specific medical needs, their condition, medical history, and potential benefits and risks when choosing prescriptions. Example: Lenny’s cholesterol remained high, so his doctor prescribed a class of drugs known as statins, enabling Lenny to achieve cholesterol control and gain health benefits. It’s important for patients like Lenny to allow doctors to monitor health progress and review effectiveness of medications to maximize benefits.
• Storage: Proper storage of medications is key to maintaining their effectiveness and preventing adverse side effects. Generally, most medications should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Some medications may require refrigeration. Patients should check with their doctor or pharmacist to determine what’s best. Example: Alice kept an EpiPen (needed for life-threatening allergic reaction) in the glove compartment of her car. Unfortunately, the high temperature inside the vehicle compromised the product. This example underscores the importance of proper storage of medications. Additionally, always store medications out of the reach of children.
• Usage: Seniors should keep track of their medications, potentially using pill organizers, reminders, and charts to stay on schedule.  Note that doubling or skipping medications is unsafe. Example: Carlos forgot to take his beta-blocker. Later, he began to experience a racing heart from skipping his heart medication. Situations like this may be dangerous, so it’s important to be organized when taking medications. WebMD suggests using an inexpensive and handy organizer found at a local pharmacy. They explain, “Basic organizers have separate compartments for each day of the week. Bigger ones have multiple slots if you take pills more than once a day. This allows you to sort drugs according to exactly when you need to take them. (If you want a pillbox alternative, you can put medications in different-colored bottles for separate times of the day.)”  
• Dose and dosage: Dose refers to the amount of drug administered to a person at a particular time, whereas dosage is a broader term describing the amount, number, frequency of doses over a specific time. Both are important. Taking improper amounts, for instance, can potentially lead to problems. So, too, can discontinuing medication early. Example: Louise was being treated for a urinary tract infection. She was prescribed a course of antibiotics. Feeling better, she stopped the medication early. Soon after, her symptoms returned. Taking medications as medically prescribed for a specified duration can prevent reinfection and the development of drug-resistant bacteria. It’s also important to take medications exactly as prescribed (for instance with or without food to avoid stomach upset) and be mindful of expiration dates that may render drugs ineffective or unsafe.
• Side effects: When taking medications, there is always the possibility of experiencing adverse side effects. These should be reported to a doctor immediately. Example: James was taking a beta-lactam antibiotic when he broke out in an uncomfortable rash. He called his doctor to report symptoms. He was switched to another medication due to his allergic reaction. Should a patient encounter a problem related to medication, such as a rash or hives, discontinue the drug and seek prompt medical attention.
• Interactions: Older adults are at higher risk for adverse drug reactions and interactions, likely related changes that occur within the body as one grows older. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, decreased muscle mass and increased body fat or other physical changes can affect how medications are distributed and how they stay in the body. Medications can also interact with one another and cause negative consequences, or when taken in combination exacerbate effects. Example: Robert is taking warfarin, an anticoagulant drug. His doctor advised him against taking aspirin at the same time as taking them together can increase the risk of a serious bleed. People on prescription blood thinners should check with their doctor to understand safety parameters.
• Lifestyle: Lifestyle is very important to health and wellbeing. This includes eating nutritionally, getting adequate sleep and exercise, refraining from smoking and limiting alcohol intake. Your doctor will consider your lifestyle when prescribing medications. In some cases, people may be advised to change their habits. Example: Carter’s typical breakfast includes drinking grapefruit juice. His doctor prescribed a calcium channel blocker to treat high blood pressure. Carter is advised to refrain from drinking grapefruit juice when on this specific medication. This change in lifestyle routine is essential as grapefruit juice may cause a drug interaction. As always, patients should discuss their daily habits with their doctor and practice safety. Tell your healthcare provider about all your prescriptions, as well as OTC medicines, vitamins and supplements, and herbal or other remedies. Avoid using alcohol or marijuana with medicines as each can increase the risk of accidental overdose.
• Personal preferences: For a successful treatment plan, talk to your doctor to discuss what you need to know about the medication(s) you’re taking and how you will know that they are working. Take the opportunity to discuss your personal preferences. Example: Kristina has trouble swallowing pills. She asks her doctor to prescribe a liquid medication instead. Her doctor complies. To ensure your comfort, be direct.
• Cost: The cost of healthcare in the United States continues to rise. This can put a strain on senior citizens and others, particularly those living on fixed incomes. Even people on Medicare can sometimes struggle to afford prescription medications. Rather than skip or stop taking medications due to cost, seniors struggling to afford meds should promptly talk to their doctor about their situation. Note that doctors are aware of the financial burden prescription costs can place on patients. Doctors may offer the following: offer alternatives for less expensive medications, provide samples for use in the short term, help patients explore discount programs, adjust dosage or supply, check formularies (list of covered drugs), and connect patients with valuable resources.Example: Heather is retired and living on a fixed income. To reduce costs, her doctor prescribes a less expensive generic brand to replace a name brand drug. To save money, people can also actively compare different Medicare Part D plans during the annual Open Enrollment period to find a plan with lower drug costs. There are also helpful resources out there to include the National Council on Aging’s “BenefitsCheckUp” tool that connects people with various assistance programs.

A word about addiction

Taking medications as prescribed is generally safe. Certain medications, such as painkillers, sedatives or stimulants may potentially be addictive and lead to misuse. Per Mayo Clinic, “Because commonly abused prescription drugs activate the brain’s reward center, it’s possible to develop physical dependence and addiction.” They explain that a person who compulsively seeks a drug and continues to use it – even when the drug is causing problems – signals an addiction. Before taking medications, know what the medicine does, pay attention to effects, take it exactly as prescribed and not longer than the length of time it’s prescribed, and never use another person’s prescription. Additionally, refrain from ordering medications from unknown sources online that may potentially sell counterfeit drugs. Rather, secure prescriptions from an established and trustworthy pharmacy.

Optimizing health & wellness  

Prescription drugs are used to treat a wide range of medical conditions such as infections, pain, anxiety, heart disease, cancer, and more. Thus, they are highly beneficial. Nowadays, most seniors rely on prescription medications for the treatment of various age-related health conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis. Depending upon condition and need, medications can be prescribed long or short term as determined by a doctor. Prescription medications should be taken exclusively by the person for whom they are prescribed. These medications also should be taken as advised and stored properly. While taking meds, patients should be monitored by their healthcare professional for possible side effects, drug interactions, or dependencies. Patients should promptly report any negative side effects to their doctor. Those who struggle to afford medications are encouraged to have an open conversation with their doctor, their caring partner in health, to troubleshoot solutions and optimize health.

Disclosure: This article is for general information only and is subject to change. It is not medically reviewed nor is it a substitute for professional advice.