The bottom line is that you may not need all the medications you’ve been prescribed to manage your health conditions. Overprescribing sets up older adults for a downward spiral of increasing side effects and worsening health. A holistic approach is needed to address the key tenets of good health and create real wellness instead of attempting to cover up symptoms with more pills.
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- Polypharmacy is the term used for overprescribed medications. This is more common in older adults who have several risk factors and often have more than one chronic health condition that can lead to overprescription
- Overprescription is not limited to adults. Data from 2014 showed more than 274,000 children from birth to 1 year were prescribed psychiatric drugs, 249,669 antianxiety drugs, and 1,422 ADHD drugs
- Over-the-counter medications can also create drug interactions and side effects. When too many drugs are prescribed, you may be taking one to take care of the side effects of another
- You may be overprescribed medications if you consistently visit multiple doctors, have a new health condition, have trouble keeping up with your medication or have new financial pressure from the expense of your medications
- Take control of your drug cabinet by creating and maintaining a list of the medications, supplements and OTC drugs you…
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The Most Revolutionary Act 