It is very Important that your Doctor know ALL medications (over-the-counter and prescription), vitamins, and herbal products you take.

Medication Facts:

How many medications are too many?
There's no specific number that means too many medications but once you get to about eight, your chances of interactions rapidly increase.

What are some of the problems associated with taking 8 or more medications?
The more medications you take the more likely you are to NOT be able to take them correctly.

People who take 8 or more medications may have an increased risk of falls, an increased risk of dizziness, and an increase in memory problems.

If you find yourself with eight or more medications on your list, including herbs and/or over-the-counter products, ask your primary care doctor for a comprehensive drug review.  it helps to ask one doctor to be a gatekeeper for all your medications.

It is highly recommended that you have all your medications filled at one pharmacy.  The pharmacist will check for unwanted interactions.

What is the most important thing you can do to help with medication management?
Don't be shy about asking questions of your doctor.  In the end, it's going to be your body that experiences the effects of the medicines, so if you have questions about the dose or how to take it, you should ask the doctor or pharmacist before you start taking a new medication.

Why would an older person be at risk?
There are a couple of reasons. Older persons may have more than one chronic medical condition that they're dealing with; examples would be diabetes, heart failure, arthritis - and the result is different doctors can prescribe medications.  A prescription cascade can occur where a side effect of one medication is viewed as a new medical condition and another medication is added.  A side effect of the second medication is treated with a third, etc.  Without one person coordinating the prescriptions, you can end up with medications that interact with each other.  Also, older adults often need lower doses because they don't clear the drugs as easily from their body and so they need more careful monitoring in terms of therapeutic effects, adverse effects and toxic reactions.

What are examples of over-the-counter medications that can interact with prescription drugs?
Over-the-counter medications can include vitamins, herbal supplements, pain relievers and cold remedies.  It can also include alcohol, tobacco and caffeine.  The number of chemicals we put in our bodies on a daily basis is pretty great.  There's a myth that if you're taking an over-the-counter or natural health product that means it's safe and it doesn't interact with anything.  That's just not true.  Natural or over-the-counter does not equal safe.