Older Adults and Medication: Safe Use, Risks, and Smart Choices

When you’re over 65, your body handles drugs differently. Older adults, people aged 65 and older who often take multiple medications due to chronic conditions. Also known as seniors, they make up nearly 20% of U.S. prescription users but account for over 30% of hospital visits from adverse drug reactions. It’s not about being frail—it’s about biology. Liver and kidney function slow down. Fat replaces muscle. Stomach acid drops. All of this changes how drugs are absorbed, processed, and cleared. A pill that was fine at 40 can become risky at 70.

That’s why polypharmacy, the use of five or more medications at once, common in older adults with multiple health issues is so dangerous. It’s not just the drugs themselves—it’s how they clash. A blood pressure pill might make your dizziness worse when mixed with a painkiller. An antibiotic could turn a mild stomach upset into a life-threatening infection. And let’s not forget drug interactions, when two or more medications affect each other’s performance or safety. Over 80% of older adults on five or more meds have at least one risky combo. Many don’t even know it.

It’s not all bad news. Many of these risks are preventable. Simple steps—like keeping a printed list of every pill, supplement, and OTC drug you take, and bringing it to every doctor visit—cut hospital stays by nearly half. Talking to your pharmacist, not just your doctor, helps too. They spot hidden clashes that doctors miss. And if you’re on something like clindamycin, celecoxib, or aripiprazole, you’re not alone. Many of the posts below show how common these drugs are for seniors, and what to watch for. Some affect the liver. Others mess with balance. A few even trigger confusion that looks like dementia.

There’s no magic bullet. But there are smart moves. Know your meds. Ask why each one is prescribed. Question if you still need it. And never stop a drug without talking to someone who knows your full history. The posts here cover real cases: how antibiotics lead to resistant infections in older bodies, why tetanus shots matter more after 65, how liver tests keep you safe on certain drugs, and why mixing painkillers with heart meds can backfire. You’ll find comparisons between common treatments, warnings about side effects, and clear tips on what to do—and what to avoid.