WASHINGTON — A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that roughly 22% of U.S. adults ages 62 to 85 are on medication regimens that could lead to potentially major drug interactions. This represents a modest improvement from the 25.7% rate recorded in 2015‑2016.
The research, led by Dr. Dima Mazen Qato of the University of Southern California’s Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, analyzed nationally representative data from nearly 5,000 community‑dwelling seniors. While the percentage of risky drug combinations has fallen, the overall use of multiple prescription drugs and dietary supplements continues to rise.
Rising Polypharmacy and Supplement Use
Prescription polypharmacy—defined as taking five or more prescription medications simultaneously—increased from 31% in 2015‑2016 to 35.7% in 2021‑2023. Use of five or more dietary supplements also grew, climbing from 12.6% to 16.7% over the same period.
These trends mean that more older adults are taking multiple drugs or supplements even as the share of potentially major interacting combinations declines.
Commonly Involved Medications
The study identified antidepressants, statins and antiplatelet drugs as the medication classes most frequently involved in major interactions during 2021‑2023. Interactions involving opioid pain relievers and benzodiazepines have decreased, while those involving muscle relaxants have risen.
Health Implications and Recommendations
Researchers stress that medication safety remains a critical issue for seniors. They recommend that patients maintain an up‑to‑date list of all prescription drugs, over‑the‑counter medicines and dietary supplements, and share this list with every health‑care provider.
Health professionals also advise patients to ask their doctors and pharmacists about potential side effects and drug‑drug interactions, especially when new medications are prescribed.
National Prescription Drug Take‑Back Day
The Drug Enforcement Administration will host its next National Prescription Drug Take‑Back Day on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. The event offers a safe way for households to dispose of unwanted or expired medications, helping prevent misuse and reducing the risk of accidental interactions.
Since the program began in 2010, more than 21 million pounds of prescription medications have been collected nationwide. The upcoming event provides another opportunity for seniors and families to review medication lists and eliminate unnecessary drugs.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
