Medications can help us to lead lives free of pain, can prevent diseases and avoid other conditions. They also have side effects we should consider. Unfortunately, many important and effective medications that improve health also have significant side effects.
Aging involves losing some muscle that is converted into fat; kidneys and liver work less well; the heart pumps less blood. The result is that medications can be longer lasting for older people.
Being older can also mean being more sensitive to side effects. For example, a drug that causes mild constipation in a younger person could produce significant pain in an older one.
A survey of seniors on Medicare in the United States identified the most serious side effects and what typically caused them. In order of frequency, the most common side effects were: gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue/dizziness, limb pain or weakness, medication not being effective, mouth/throat symptoms, bleeding, and frequent urination/kidney problems.
Also ranked by frequency, types of medication that caused the most side effect were: heart disease medications, pain relievers, cholesterol-lowering drugs, antidepressants, blood thinners, sedatives, antibiotics, water pills, and narcotic pain relievers.
Among the side effects most reported, some are worth special attention and concern. Confusion and dizziness have great potential for causing damage. Confusion, as a side effect, is not always easy to identify at a time when some confusion may be natural. It is not uncommon for seniors themselves to blame aging for apparent confusion or forgetfulness-but it may be medication!
A number of medications can result in confusion and dizziness. Among these are sleeping pills, narcotics for pain, antidepressants and steroids. Even non-prescription drugs such as antihistamines can add to the problem. Worse, it may not be one particular medication but a combination of them causing problems.
For seniors especially, side effects such as those above can lead to bigger problems. Falls are both more common, and more dangerous. Driving under less than full control is even more hazardous. Patients can help prevent such problems by telling their doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter preparations they are taking, That includes vitamins and herbal products.
Being aware of their your own body's responses to medications, plus the assistance of a family physician and pharmacist can help minimize the side effects of the medications.
Dr. Paul Martiquet is the Medical Health Officer for Sea to Sky
