Medications Metabolize Differently as We Age

As we grow older, our body goes through many changes.  Some of those changes affect the way we metabolize and use the medications we take. It’s very important to see your primary care physician routinely to review your medications and see if they are helping you, and not hurting you.

Aging affects each system in our body.  Our kidneys filter our blood and help produce waste, and as we age, it is normal for our kidney function to decline slightly.  This may make us more sensitive to medications.  Our GI tract slows down and we digest food and medications differently too as we age.  Our immune system also slows down which makes us more prone to infection and it can also make recovering from an infection take longer.

There are certain medications that tend to have a higher risk of side effects.  They include:

• Pain medications

• Medications for depression and anxiety

• Sleep medications

• Incontinence medications

• Medications for allergy and cold/flu, including over the counter medications

• Muscle relaxants

• Antipsychotic medications

There are many other types of medications that need close monitoring as we age too, so discuss your prescribed and OTC medications with your doctor at each visit.

As we age it is very important that we are on the correct dose of medications.  Taking too much of a medication can lead to all sorts of side effects.  Some side effects include, dizziness and falls, nutritional deficiencies, problems with our vision, hearing and taste.  Too much medication in our systems can lead to many more serious health concerns.

Keep a current list of medications somewhere accessible to you and others in case of an emergency. Share your list with any physicians you see and ask them about possible side effects or interactions.