Medication interactions -- Medications help us, but can also sometimes cause unexpected difficulties
One of the tricky parts of getting older is that many different parts of our bodies can function less well. We may find ourselves taking medications for pain, for our blood pressure, to lower our cholesterol levels, to help us sleep, to improve our mood, or to manage our blood sugar, to name just a few of MANY possible examples. These medications are often of huge benefit, allowing us to manage or prevent medical conditions that could interfere with our lives in serious ways.
The trouble is that people respond to medications in different ways, and some medications interact with other medications. Sometimes, medications or medication combinations can even affect our cognitive functioning.
NOW... before you continue reading, an important warning:
Please, please, please do not ever discontinue any medications without
consulting the prescribing health care provider!!!
However, do also consider this: Many older adults have seen a number of different health care providers for different ailments, and it is very important for all of those prescribers to KNOW about all of the other medications (and also, all of the over-the-counter products!!) you are taking or using. That can be tricky, if you see health care providers in different places, or who are part of different health care organizations.
It is very helpful to keep a list of all the medications and supplements you use with you at all times, whether printed out on a card and kept in your wallet or purse, or via one of the many cell phone apps made for that purpose.
If you have any concerns about cognitive symptoms, ask your doctor whether any of the medications, supplements, over-the-counter medicines, etc. you are taking might be causing those difficulties -- alone or in interaction.
One of the tricky parts of getting older is that many different parts of our bodies can function less well. We may find ourselves taking medications for pain, for our blood pressure, to lower our cholesterol levels, to help us sleep, to improve our mood, or to manage our blood sugar, to name just a few of MANY possible examples. These medications are often of huge benefit, allowing us to manage or prevent medical conditions that could interfere with our lives in serious ways.
The trouble is that people respond to medications in different ways, and some medications interact with other medications. Sometimes, medications or medication combinations can even affect our cognitive functioning.
NOW... before you continue reading, an important warning:
Please, please, please do not ever discontinue any medications without
consulting the prescribing health care provider!!!
However, do also consider this: Many older adults have seen a number of different health care providers for different ailments, and it is very important for all of those prescribers to KNOW about all of the other medications (and also, all of the over-the-counter products!!) you are taking or using. That can be tricky, if you see health care providers in different places, or who are part of different health care organizations.
It is very helpful to keep a list of all the medications and supplements you use with you at all times, whether printed out on a card and kept in your wallet or purse, or via one of the many cell phone apps made for that purpose.
If you have any concerns about cognitive symptoms, ask your doctor whether any of the medications, supplements, over-the-counter medicines, etc. you are taking might be causing those difficulties -- alone or in interaction.