Risky Drug Combos for Seniors
It's no surprise to health care professionals that polymedicine can be risky for seniors. According to an
MSNBC article, which was based on research funded by the National Institutes of Health and University of Chicago, some commonly used and risky combinations include:
- Aspirin taken with over-the-counter ginkgo supplements, which increases the probability for excess bleeding.
- Lisinopril, a blood pressure drug, taken with potassium, which combined can cause abnormal heart rhythms. Doctors often prescribe potassium to restore low levels caused by some blood pressure drugs.
- Prescription cholesterol drugs called statins taken with over-the-counter niacin, a type of vitamin B that also lowers cholesterol. This combination increases risks for muscle damage.
For more information, see the study abstract in the Journal of the American Medical Association.