How Many Medications are Too Many?
Whether or not you are taking too many medicines depends on three major questions.
Look at all the medications you take and ask:
Is the medication necessary?
Proving effective?
Safe for me to take?
If the answer is yes to each question, then no matter what number of medicines you are taking, it is OK.
As we get older the likelihood we will be advised to take medication or a supplement increases. The average senior citizen in the United States takes four or more prescription and over-the-counter medications or vitamins per day. If at age 65 you decided to ONLY take medications that were based on the preventive medical recommendations for older adults, you would be taking at least 4-5 pills. So how easy is it to medicate sparingly?
Here are the 3 main questions to ask about EACH medication or supplement you are taking to determine if the medication is necessary, effective, and safe for you to take.
Why am I taking this medication?
Is this the only way to treat this condition?
What is the harm if I don’t use this medication?
Is it working?
If there is a symptom that has been resolved you may be able to know the medicine is helping, but some medications require blood tests or other evaluation to determine if it is doing what it should.
Am I having any side effects from it and if so, are the side effects worth it?
Do you know the common side effects of this medication?
If you are having any side effects, discuss with the prescribing provider whether there is an adjustment that can be made, or if an alternative treatment might be available
If you can go through each of your medications, answer these questions and get reasonable answers, congratulations! If you cannot answer these questions, you need to talk to your doctor or pharmacist and learn more about the medications and your health conditions.
You may also benefit from reading “Strategies for Medication Safety”.
Please talk with your own/loved one’s healthcare provider before using any of this information.
