Medications are essential to the health of seniors, but they can also cause serious side effects. These drugs can be dangerous for seniors in many ways. This is why it’s important that any medication your doctor prescribes you should be discussed thoroughly. A pharmacist or medical professional will then help you determine which medications are safe and appropriate. Also which ones might not be right for your condition. The following list includes some types of medications that can be especially risky if taken by seniors.
Heart Medications
Seniors may be at high risk for heart disease, so they may need to take medications that lower their cholesterol levels, prevent blood clots or regulate their heart rates. However, some heart medications can interact poorly with other prescriptions. Such as the medication citalopram (brand name Celexa). Which is used to treat depression in seniors. If a person is taking this along with other types of medicine, he might experience fainting spells or cardiac problems. Blood pressure medications are also an important concern for seniors, since they can react negatively with other prescriptions.
Painkillers
Seniors may be more likely to experience the side effects of common painkillers, such as aspirin and ibuprofen . Some people are at risk for stomach bleeding or ulcers if they take these drugs regularly , so seniors should speak with their doctor about whether it’s safe for them to take these medications on a regular basis. If not, your doctor might recommend alternative treatments. Which could include acetaminophen (the generic form of Tylenol). Elderly patients who have arthritis may wish to discuss taking anti-inflammatories. These chemicals can help reduce swelling in joints and ease pain without the risk of side effect they may experience from pain killers.
Antidepressants
While antidepressants can be beneficial for seniors with depression or anxiety, the chemical make-up of these drugs is different in older adults. This means that a person may experience side effects from taking certain types of anti-depressants. For example, tricyclics are often used to treat depression because they regulate serotonin levels. However, this type of antidepressant can cause problems if a senior is also taking a medication that contains sulfa, such as Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim). The combination of these chemicals could lead to negative reactions in the body. Which could include fainting spells, seizures or extreme changes in blood pressure. Mood stabilizers and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors) can also cause complications for seniors.