Nearly, 25% of older adults take at least one wrong medications every year. Taking these medications may increase the risk of drug-related health problems.
Inappropriate Medications May Increase Hospitalization Risk
Reducing unnecessary medicines can enhance the quality of life and decrease the cost of hospitalizations.
Reducing unnecessary medicines can enhance the quality of life and decrease the cost of hospitalizations.
‘Both adults younger than 80 and older adults who were more aware of medication risks were more likely to have conversations with healthcare providers about stopping prescriptions’
However, despite these recommendations, 25 percent of older adults take at least one potentially inappropriate medication every year. Taking these medications can increase the risk of being hospitalized due to a medication-related problem. Although 70 percent of older adults are willing to stop taking certain medications, healthcare providers continue to prescribe some potentially inappropriate medicines to older adults. Researchers from the Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie in Montréal, Canada, designed a survey to learn about older adults' awareness of drug-related health risks. They conducted the survey over the telephone with 2,665 participants, aged 65 or older.
The researchers learned that:
Too Less Data for Too Many Anti-Seizure Medications
Epilepsy is a spectrum condition with a wide range of seizure types and control varying from person-to-person.
Epilepsy is a spectrum condition with a wide range of seizure types and control varying from person-to-person.
- 42 percent of the participants used medicines considered potentially inappropriate for older adults, including:
- Sedative and hypnotic medications, such as tranquilizers and sleeping pills
- Glyburide (a type of medicine prescribed for people with diabetes)
- 65 percent of participants knew that some prescriptions could be potentially harmful.
- 42 percent of participants had discussed stopping one or more prescribed medications with their healthcare provider
- Both adults younger than 80 and older adults who were more aware of medication risks were more likely to have conversations with healthcare providers about stopping prescriptions.
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Low Rate of Prescription Smoking Cessation Medications Among Older Patients
A prescription smoking cessation medication was used by only about 7 percent of older adults who smoked used within 90 days after being discharged from a hospital following a heart attack
A prescription smoking cessation medication was used by only about 7 percent of older adults who smoked used within 90 days after being discharged from a hospital following a heart attack
The researchers suggested that the more information people have about potential risks associated with their medications, the more likely they may be to discuss reducing potentially inappropriate medications.
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New Methods for The Administration of Children's Medications
Globally, the proportion of children who are overweight and obese is increasing. Increased doses of growth hormone to children is linked with harmful effects in later life.
Globally, the proportion of children who are overweight and obese is increasing. Increased doses of growth hormone to children is linked with harmful effects in later life.
