Are older women more at risk for medication problems?

The absorption and metabolism of drugs can vary between the sexes and among different age groups. And aside from a drug’s side-effect profile, everyone has their own personal way of processing and responding to drugs. If you have ever had hives from head to toe after taking a new antibiotic you know what I mean. There are other factors to consider, too.

As we grow older, chronic diseases are more likely to rear their ugly heads, so it’s not unusual for someone to be taking a few different drugs at once. That’s when it can get thorny because drugs interact with other drugs, over-the-counter remedies, and dietary supplements and even with certain foods. If you take six, you have over a 50% chance of a drug interaction.

So it is always prudent to tell your doc (even your pharmacist) what other pills you are poppin’ so you avoid any dangerous combinations or reactions.