The Elderly and Abuse of Prescription Drugs
As we age, risks that were not present when we were young begin to reveal themselves in all aspects of
our lives. In the elderly, the risks of disease, injury, and death come to the forefront of our minds as
dangers that seniors and their adult children fear. One danger that does not always come to mine is that
of drug abuse, more specifically, prescription drug abuse.
Abusing in a Different Way
Many do not believe that the elderly would abuse prescription medications because our views of this
behavior seem to be reserved for younger generations. When you picture prescription drug abuse, you
probably see teenagers getting high off of things in their family medicine cabinet, but in reality this is a
very limited view of prescription drug abuse. For the elderly, prescription drug abuse is most often
unintentional misuse, but even so, the health consequences are comparably as dangerous, most likely
even more dangerous, than abuse by teens.
The elderly often have more chronic illnesses than younger people. As a result, they may be on multiple
drugs used to help high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. The average older person is
taking more than four prescription medications at once plus two over-the-counter medications. When
two or more usually harmless drugs are taken together, dangerous reactions may occur. The usual adage
or phrase when treating elderly patients is “start low and go slow.” The elderly (about 65 years of age or
older) are more sensitive to drugs than younger patients. Doses must start low and be gradually increased
to monitor the effects of multiple drug reactions.
Likely Ways an Elderly Person May Be abusing Medication include:
Unsafe combinations of medications
“Doctor Shopping” – Getting prescriptions from more than 1 doctor
Stockpiling medications
Obtaining medication from other family or friends
Taking double or incorrect dosages
Taking Medication in conjunction with alcohol
Elderly people with alcohol related problems have a higher probability as abusing prescription medication
Preventative Measures
Talk to your health care provider about any concerns you may have
Have all medications filled at the same pharmacy, this way the pharmacist can monitor interactions
between drugs and prevent unintentional misuse of medication.
Both the Senior and/or Family members monitoring medication use should ensure that they are taking
the directed quantity.
What should you do if you miss a dose of a prescription medication?
Do NOT double up on the next dose. This can lead to serious side effects such as slurred speech, nausea,
stumbling, and unconsciousness depending on the drug. Read the information that was given when the
medicine was prescribed. If the information is not clear or available, discuss what to do about the next
dose with your pharmacist or doctor.
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