Medication Safety Tips

Taking medications at an old age may be full of challenges, since at this age many older adults suffer from many illnesses, making them take multiple medications. The change in lifestyle also has an effect on medical treatment. Additionally, drug administration is sometimes accompanied by coping with side-effects.

There are other risks to drug administration in general, and at an older age in particular, such as receiving an unclear prescription and consequently getting the wrong medication or dispensing a drug in a dosage that is not appropriate for older people.

A large part of studies conducted for the approval of drug administration do not consist of studies on older adults. Consequently, the information on the impact, the safety, the recommended dosage, and the side-effects of certain drugs, is not, necessarily, appropriate for older patients.

Important advice for drug intake at an older age

From the age of 65 and older, you should be extra vigilant of the impact of drugs you take, especially new ones. If you are feeling an unusual sensation after starting a new drug therapy, consult with your family doctor, or with the pharmacist.

Unusual sensations may be confusion, dizziness, hearing impairment, or decreased cognitive abilities (memory, comprehension). Get blood tests done frequently and go for regular doctor follow-up appointments to adjust your medication dose to the physical changes you undergo.

Medications and risk of falls

Certain medications may cause a loss of balance, disorientation, fatigue, or confusion; consequently, they increase the risk of falls.

It is important to be aware of this possibility and consult with your family doctor if you feel one of these phenomena. Note that some drugs should not be discontinued abruptly. Therefore, do not discontinue drugs on your own initiative, or without consulting with your doctor.

Further information on drugs increasing the risk of falls

Advice for safe drug intake

• Read the consumer information leaflet (inside the medication package) before taking the medication and act according to the instructions. If you are uncertain, ask the pharmacist, or the doctor who prescribed the drug.
• Avoid driving if the medication makes you dizzy or tired.
• Take the drug at regular hours, unless you have received other instructions from the doctor or pharmacist.
• Turn on the light when you take a medicine and put on your glasses, if you need them, to avoid mistakes in identifying a drug.
• Take the exact dosage prescribed to you. If you forgot to take the previous dose, check the leaflet for instructions. Take note: taking a higher or lower dose may endanger you and impair the efficacy of the treatment.
• Use a reminder (such as an alarm clock) for taking medications. Consult with your pharmacist if you forget to take your medications on time.
• Do not change the administration method or the dosage on your own initiative.
• Do not discontinue drug therapy on your own initiative. If you consider discontinuing your drug treatment, update your doctor. An abrupt discontinuation may cause severe side-effects, such as redness, dizziness, or an increase or decrease in blood pressure.
• Do not take expired drugs. If the expiration date does not specify the day of the month, you can use the drug until the last day of the same month. After the expiration date, the active ingredient may become toxic.
• Buy medicines only at authorized pharmacies.

Advice on storing medication

• Store medications according to the instructions on the package or the information leaflet.
• Store medications in a dark, and dry place and avoid storing them in the bathroom.
• If necessary, store the medication in the fridge.
• Keep medications out of the reach of children.
• Avoid accumulating unused or expired medications. These should be returned to the pharmacies with collection sites for expired medications.