Dangers of Mixing Prescription Drugs for Over 65s

It has been brought to attention recently that certain combinations of commonly used drugs to treat conditions such as allergies, heart disease and depression are particularly dangerous for over 65s. Such combinations can result in declining brain function and an increased risk of death in older people.

The over 65s are the most vulnerable group as over half of them are prescribed such drugs. The research was documented in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society and says that the most worrying effect is on patients taking a lot of different courses of medication.

Over 65s who are on combinations of different drugs are advised to refrain from panicking and to continue taking their medication as prescribed.

It was found in the study that many commonly prescribed drugs affect a chemical in the brain called acetylcholine. This is a neurotransmitter which is essential for transporting messages across nerve cells.

There were tests on eighty drugs for their "anticholinergic activity", with scores given for various effects. A score of one was given for a mild effect, two for moderate and three for severe. The drugs included both prescription-only and over-the-counter.

13,000 over-65s were allocated scores for all the medicines they were taking and an overall score of five was obtained for one severe drug and two mild ones, for example.

It was noteworthy that for the period between 1991 and 1993, only 7 per cent of patients taking no anticholinergic drugs died and also that patients with a score of at least five showed a 4 per cent drop in ratings of brain function.

However, the study did not prove that the drugs caused death or decreased brain function. They did show an association, nevertheless.

The head of research at the University of East Anglia said: "Clinicians should conduct regular reviews of the medication taken by their older patients, both prescribed and over-the-counter, and wherever possible avoid prescribing multiple drugs with anticholinergic effects."

The advice given to patients by Dr Clare Gerada chairperson of the Royal College of GPs was that they should not worry too much and should aim to discuss the matter with their doctor or pharmacist. They should not stop their medicines without taking advice first, she said.

Dr Gerada also advised that GPs were aware of the risk of combining medicines and that they do review medication every 15 months.

A more up-to-date study is now being considered as much has changed in medicine in the last two decades.

What's this?