$Unique_ID{BRK01540}
$Pretitle{Community and Social Problems}
$Title{The Way Medications Act in Older People}
$Subject{medications aging}
$Volume{Q-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


The Way Medications Act in Older People


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QUESTION:  My friend tells me that her doctor has warned her about the way
medications act in older people.  She tells me that it isn't safe for older
people to take medications the way that younger people do.  Does that mean I
should stop the prescription medications I am now taking?  This news has me
both confused and frightened.  Please help me.

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ANSWER:  Let me try to reduce your confusion just a bit, for though there are
some facts your friend has stated correctly, your interpretation is not right.
It is a fact that older people react to medications in a different way than
younger people do.  This is the result of the normal changes that occur as we
grow older.  The amount of muscle mass becomes less, and the percent of water
in our body becomes less.  Both the liver and the kidneys function less
efficiently, and this means that the amount of medications and the time they
remain in our system may also change.  That can lead to side effects happening
more frequently, and being more severe.  Even ordinary over the counter
medications such as aspirin, vitamins and antacids can act differently, and
present some problems.  But it doesn't mean that prescription medicines should
be stopped without the advice and knowledge of your doctor.  Certainly, if you
are experiencing no side effects there seems little reason to do so.  Your
physician has probably considered the factors of your age and sex, as well as
your present physical condition when he first ordered your medications for
you.  However, since medicines do not always effect everyone in the same
manner, you should report any troubles to your doctor at once.  Here are some
tips for you, to help avoid any unnecessary problems.  Take your medicine
exactly as directed, never changing the schedules or dosages with out your
doctors advice.  Don't take medicines prescribed for other people.  They may
not work for you in the same way.  Get all the information possible about your
medications from your doctor or pharmacy.  The more you know about them, the
more safely you will be able to use them.  Don't keep old medicines in your
medicine cabinet.  They can change over time, and should be discarded when the
need for them has past.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
