Clipping Board » Drug Poisoning ─ It is necessary to be aware of the toxic side effects before taking medication.
According to a report published on the 24th in The Journal of the American Medical Association, a joint investigation by the National Institutes of Health and the University of Chicago revealed that 2.2 million elderly Americans who take multiple medications or health supplements are at risk due to drug interactions.
Reuters reported that researchers surveyed 2,976 middle-aged and elderly individuals aged 57 to 85 and found that 91% of them take at least one medication, with about half taking five or more medications or health supplements. Among them, 4% experienced dangerous or even fatal consequences due to drug interactions. Proportionally, this translates to 2.2 million middle-aged and elderly Americans at risk of adverse drug interactions.
The Associated Press (AP) noted that as people age, the number of medications they take tends to increase. Nearly every medication has side effects, and elderly individuals taking multiple medications face the greatest risks.
Dima Qato, a pharmacist at the University of Chicago and one of the leaders of the study, emphasized that patients must understand that while medications can treat diseases, they are not necessarily safe. If they need to self-diagnose and purchase over-the-counter medications or take dietary supplements, they should undoubtedly consult a pharmacist first.
Researchers pointed out that many people take both the anticoagulant warfarin and aspirin, both of which can increase the risk of bleeding, and the risk is even higher when taken together. Additionally, while garlic supplements are beneficial for heart health and can prevent blood clots, they may have adverse effects when taken with warfarin.
The researchers also listed several combinations of medications that can interact negatively. For example, taking aspirin with ginkgo supplements may lead to severe bleeding. Combining the blood pressure medication Lisinopril with potassium supplements can cause irregular heart rhythms. Taking cholesterol-lowering statins with niacin (vitamin B), which has similar effects, may result in muscle damage.
Researchers noted that many medications and nutritional supplements can be purchased without a prescription, but this does not mean they are entirely harmless. Special caution is needed when mixing over-the-counter and prescription medications. Experts recommend that patients always ask their doctors about potential side effects when prescribed medications and inform their doctors before adding any new medications.
Jerry Gurwitz, director of geriatric medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, stated that as long as patients maintain regular communication with their doctors, they do not need to overly worry about potential drug interactions.
Gurwitz added that if medication use is properly monitored, dangerous outcomes can be avoided, and such cases are common. Prescription drugs are the most widely used medications, with one-third of the surveyed middle-aged and elderly individuals taking at least five prescription drugs.
Michael Cohen, director of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, said the study is significant. The large number of elderly individuals at risk of adverse drug interactions is not surprising, as he himself takes more than five medications.Cohen said that the prescription center has launched a new website where patients can simply enter the names of the medications they are taking to check for potential adverse interactions between these drugs.
The findings were published in the December 24th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Source: http:/ / news. cnyes. com/ dspnew……ime=16:51:04& cls=index1_tech
US Study: Elderly Medication Misuse Raises Concerns, 2.2 Million at Risk of Drug Interactions
Reuters reported that researchers surveyed 2,976 middle-aged and elderly individuals aged 57 to 85 and found that 91% of them take at least one medication, with about half taking five or more medications or health supplements. Among them, 4% experienced dangerous or even fatal consequences due to drug interactions. Proportionally, this translates to 2.2 million middle-aged and elderly Americans at risk of adverse drug interactions.
The Associated Press (AP) noted that as people age, the number of medications they take tends to increase. Nearly every medication has side effects, and elderly individuals taking multiple medications face the greatest risks.
Dima Qato, a pharmacist at the University of Chicago and one of the leaders of the study, emphasized that patients must understand that while medications can treat diseases, they are not necessarily safe. If they need to self-diagnose and purchase over-the-counter medications or take dietary supplements, they should undoubtedly consult a pharmacist first.
Researchers pointed out that many people take both the anticoagulant warfarin and aspirin, both of which can increase the risk of bleeding, and the risk is even higher when taken together. Additionally, while garlic supplements are beneficial for heart health and can prevent blood clots, they may have adverse effects when taken with warfarin.
The researchers also listed several combinations of medications that can interact negatively. For example, taking aspirin with ginkgo supplements may lead to severe bleeding. Combining the blood pressure medication Lisinopril with potassium supplements can cause irregular heart rhythms. Taking cholesterol-lowering statins with niacin (vitamin B), which has similar effects, may result in muscle damage.
Researchers noted that many medications and nutritional supplements can be purchased without a prescription, but this does not mean they are entirely harmless. Special caution is needed when mixing over-the-counter and prescription medications. Experts recommend that patients always ask their doctors about potential side effects when prescribed medications and inform their doctors before adding any new medications.
Jerry Gurwitz, director of geriatric medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, stated that as long as patients maintain regular communication with their doctors, they do not need to overly worry about potential drug interactions.
Gurwitz added that if medication use is properly monitored, dangerous outcomes can be avoided, and such cases are common. Prescription drugs are the most widely used medications, with one-third of the surveyed middle-aged and elderly individuals taking at least five prescription drugs.
Michael Cohen, director of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, said the study is significant. The large number of elderly individuals at risk of adverse drug interactions is not surprising, as he himself takes more than five medications.Cohen said that the prescription center has launched a new website where patients can simply enter the names of the medications they are taking to check for potential adverse interactions between these drugs.
The findings were published in the December 24th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Source: http:/ / news. cnyes. com/ dspnew……ime=16:51:04& cls=index1_tech