Foundation Test - Which medicines are risky for older people
Quickly, with aging, the number of pills also increases – a person who takes a blood pressure lowering medication is often also prescribed a stomach protection medication. Then the knee hurts more frequently than before twenty years ago, and painkillers are reached for to alleviate the discomfort. However, older people not only take medications more frequently, but they often tolerate them less well than a healthy woman in her mid-thirties. Stiftung Warentest has listed which medications can be dangerous for older adults and which alternatives exist.In old age, many people have to take more medications because they are more susceptible to diseases. The reason for this is the aging process in the body, which also makes us more sensitive to medications, explains Professor Petra Thuermann, pharmacologist at Helios Universitaetsklinikum Wuppertal, to Stiftung Warentest. The poorer tolerability is simply rooted in human biology. "Some organs work more slowly in the course of life, for example the liver and kidneys," explains the expert. The consequence: Medications cannot be metabolized as quickly, they last longer and stronger. This can lead to side effects that resemble typical aging symptoms.
Medications in Old Age: Stiftung Warentest Gives Tips on How to Avoid Side Effects
In German emergency rooms, according to a study in the Aerzteblatt, 6.5 percent of cases are due to unwanted medication effects – most affected are older adults. To prevent medications from harming older adults, experts and experts around Petra Thuermann have developed the Priscus-List. It contains 177 active ingredients that should not or only be used with caution in people over 65 years of age. Some medications are not necessarily discouraged per se, but only after a certain dosage or intake period. For example, a person who occasionally takes Ibuprofen need not worry.
To avoid side effects, errors in administration, and interactions, the Warentester have the following four basic tips:
- Create a medication plan with your doctor
All prescription and over-the-counter medications should be listed by name, active ingredient, dosage, reason for use, and time of day for use.
- Keep the medication plan up-to-date and use it
The medication plan should always be up-to-date. It should be presented at every doctor's appointment, in the hospital, and at the pharmacy, and updated as needed. When a new medication is prescribed, the doctor can see from the list what is already being taken and adjust the prescription accordingly to avoid interactions.
- Take inventory
Once a year, it should be discussed with the doctor whether all medications should continue to be taken or if some are no longer necessary.
- Seek help if symptoms occur
If symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, constipation, or dry mouth occur after the new medications have been taken for a short time, this should be reported to the doctor immediately and/or the prescribing physician.
In the household pharmacy, there are several over-the-counter medicines that can be found in many households. Some of these, according to the Priscus-List, have critical risks in old age. Among them are painkillers containing Acetylsalicylic acid, Diclofenac, and Phenazone. Depending on the active ingredient, there is an increased risk for severe gastrointestinal problems such as bleeding or ulcers. The risk for heart and circulatory diseases is also increased. For quick relief of pain in older people, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, or Naproxen can be referred to. Ibuprofen should not consume more than 1200 milligrams per day, and Naproxen should not consume more than 500 milligrams per day. Both painkillers should not be taken for longer than a week to avoid unwanted side effects.
Another example is the active ingredient Dimenhydrinat, which is found in travel tablets, Vomacure, or Vomex A. People over 65 years should rather avoid it. As an alternative for nausea, consumer testing organizations recommend ginger recipes.
Apart from over-the-counter medicines, the Foundation Warentest also frequently examined prescribed medicines in Germany, such as blood pressure lowering drugs or antidiabetics, and listed critical active ingredients and alternatives. What does this mean for older people? In case of problems with prescribed medicines, the family doctor is the first point of contact. With the help of the Priscus-List, people over 65 years can inform themselves about critical active ingredients and discuss their medication with experts. For over-the-counter medicines, a look at the list can help determine which active ingredients are safe.
- The Priscus-List, developed by experts, includes Ibuprofen as a medication that can be used with caution in people over 65 years, but it should not be consumed exceeding 1200 milligrams per day to avoid unwanted side effects.
- When discussing medications with their doctor, older adults should be aware of blood pressure lowering drugs, as Stiftung Warentest has listed critical active ingredients and alternatives for such medications.
- In the case of gout, a person might be prescribed a blood pressure reducer, but they should consult with their pharmacist or doctor to ensure the medication is compatible with their overall health and other medications.
