Older Adults and Medication Safety: What You Need to Know

When it comes to older adults, people aged 65 and older who often manage multiple chronic conditions and medications. Also known as seniors, they are the largest group using prescription drugs in the U.S.—and the most at risk for harmful side effects. Many take five or more medications daily, a practice called polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications at once, often leading to dangerous interactions. This isn’t just about taking pills—it’s about how those pills interact with each other, with food, and with the body’s changing biology as we age.

Drug interactions, when one medication changes how another works in the body become far more common in older adults. A simple cold medicine with pseudoephedrine can cause urinary retention in men with enlarged prostates. Herbal supplements like St. John’s Wort can cancel out antidepressants or blood thinners. Even common painkillers like ibuprofen can trigger asthma attacks or kidney issues. These aren’t rare cases—they happen every day in homes across the country. The FDA warns that nearly 40% of hospital admissions for seniors are linked to medication errors, many of which are preventable.

Managing meds isn’t just about remembering to take them. It’s about knowing what’s in your cabinet, why each pill was prescribed, and what to watch for. A pill organizer helps, but so does keeping a written list of every medication—including vitamins and over-the-counter drugs—and sharing it with every doctor. Many seniors don’t realize their pharmacist can flag dangerous combinations. Others don’t know that a sudden dizzy spell or confusion could be a side effect, not just aging. The posts below cover real cases: how decongestants can block urination, how generic drugs are tested for safety, how to spot early signs of dangerous reactions, and how to set up a safe routine at home. You’ll find practical guides on avoiding common traps, understanding FDA alerts, and choosing safer alternatives when standard drugs don’t fit. This isn’t theory. It’s what works for real people managing their health as they get older.