Confused seniors due to too many drugs: List shows which drugs are better suited

The likelihood of intolerance increases with the number of drugs taken.

Older people in particular feel the possible consequences - and shouldn't just accept that.

Something for the heart, something for the pain and also the sleeping pills: Seniors in particular often swallow several medications a day to get health problems under control.

This can have undesirable consequences.

"

Around 30 to 60 percent of people over 80 have side effects from drugs,

" estimates Professor Martin Wehling, polymedication researcher and director of the Institute for Clinical Pharmacology Mannheim, which is part of Heidelberg University.

According to him, the accumulation of side effects in the elderly often has a structural reason: in most cases, drugs are mainly tested on young people, as the expert says.

In comparison, these can cope with possible side effects even better.

"

In contrast, seniors have altered metabolism

and are much more susceptible to negative consequences."

Medicines sometimes also influence each other.

“It can happen that one drug can be broken down more poorly by another - but that is the least of the problem with

polymedication,

” says Wehling.

According to the expert, the main problem is another one - namely: the more drugs are taken, the more likely it is that they are intolerant to one or more.

Drug interactions: The body can poison

These intolerances often manifest themselves, for example, in states of confusion or in impaired ability to think and remember.

Kidney problems and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract can also be an indication.

"The organs of older patients are becoming more and more rickety," says Wehling.

"And for this they are taking more and more drugs that they tolerate more and more poorly."

This literally poisons the body.

«You often hear:" He broke down like that after a short time! "

or: "She was suddenly very confused!" »says Wehling.

It could be that the respective drug is very good in itself - but is simply not suitable for seniors.

At this point, the patient is also asked.

One should be vigilant and pay attention to one's condition.

Is the drug doing what it is supposed to?

Do you feel better, or maybe worse?

The doctor should readjust the latter.

Older people should not be put off.

"It is not acceptable for a doctor to say:" Come back in the next quarter! ", Says Wehling.

"If he has prescribed something, he also has to check whether it works or harms."

Monitoring therapy is one of the most important aspects of medical care.

List provides information on which drugs are suitable for seniors

Patients who feel addressed can prepare for the next visit to the doctor.

Help is available for this: "

We have listed the most common prescribed drugs in a list

-

and recommended better

ones

directly,

" says Wehling.

The treating doctor can use this so-called "Forta" list to determine directly whether a drug is suitable or less suitable for seniors.

This helps them weigh the benefits and risks.

The list is available online or as a mobile app for iOS and Android.

“It's usually not about the number of drugs you take, but about their

quality,

” says Wehling.

In no case should you tinker with your medication plan yourself.

(dpa)

Forta list

Forta app on Google Play

Forta app in the App Store

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