Medications: Ageing and drug side effects

Submitted by Emma Hamilton on Fri, 10/10/2008 - 11:13am

Taking a number of medications can increase a person's risk of medication side effects.

If you are caring for someone who has a chronic disease they probably rely on taking a number of medications at the one time.

A carer plays an important role in ensuring the correct use of all medications. Taking medications correctly can help prevent unwanted side effects and dangerous drug interactions.

In this article:

What are medication side effects?
Drugs and the ageing body
When should a doctor be notified about drug side effects?
Where can I get information about a drug?

What are medication side effects?

Everyone reacts differently to medications. Along with the desired effect of a drug, a drug can cause side effects.

Side effects of a drug are unwanted effects of a drug. Some side effects are tolerable whilst others can be more serious and require special monitoring. Unpleasant side effects can contribute to noncompliance with medications and many people simply stop taking their medications.

Sometimes side effects of drugs present like other common health complaints of older people and can be difficult to detect.

Side effects of drugs can include but are not limited to:

Dizziness
Low or high blood pressure
Confusion
Incontinence
Constipation
Tremors
Falls
Skin rash

Drugs and the ageing body

With ageing, a number of changes occur in the body that alter the way medications are absorbed and distributed. Drugs can remain in the body for longer. More concentrated levels of a drug in the blood increases the likelihood of medication side effects.

Medication effects also vary according to a person's age, weight, medical conditions and overall health. The manner in which people take medication also influences how the body reacts to a drug. Taking a drug with or without food or at the wrong time can cause different reactions to a drug.

When should a doctor be notified about drug side effects?

Side effects of a drug should be reported to a doctor. Always ask a doctor what side effects to expect from a drug and what to do.

Some side effects may be a sign of a dangerous reaction to a drug. A doctor may prescribe another type of drug, change the dose of the drug or recommend another way of taking a drug if the current one doesn't suit.

Always inform a doctor and pharmacist of all the medications a person is taking. This includes any herbal remedies or over the counter drugs. If you are aware of any allergic reactions to medications or other substances let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Where can I get information about a drug?

You can find out information about a certain drug by looking at the consumer medicine information leaflet (CMI) inside a medication package. Ask a pharmacist to highlight important points or print out a drug handout.

Keep any medication leaflets together in a binder for future reference, don't throw them away with the packaging. If a family member is prescribed a new drug ask lots of questions.

It is easy to forget instructions from a doctor so it can help if carers can accompany a person to a doctor's appointment and write any recommendations down.

Questions to ask a doctor about a drug:

What are some of the common side effects of this drug?
What should I do if the person I care for experiences a side effect?
How long does it take before a side effect usually occurs?
Will the side effect last a long time or disappear after a few days?
What is the correct way to take the drug?
Does the person need to take any tests to monitor for side effects?
What are the long term complications of taking the drug?

Helpful resources

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) offers quality advice and information about the safe use of medications. Carers can download information about certain drugs or call the Medicines Line on 1300 888 763 to talk to a pharmacist.