Overmedication among seniors is emerging as a growing social concern, with medical experts warning that taking too many prescription drugs at once can seriously harm health. Data show that one in six Medicare enrollees takes eight or more prescription medications simultaneously, heightening concern over senior care.
Recently, a Korean American senior in their 80s identified as Kim suddenly lost consciousness while drinking coffee with friends at a McDonald’s in LA Koreatown. The companions called 911, and Kim was transported to the emergency room, but hospital staff were unable to immediately determine the cause.
According to Youngjik Lee, an internal medicine specialist, the collapse was caused by excessive use of regular prescription drugs combined with sleeping pills. Lee said the number of seniors who rely on multiple medications is higher than commonly assumed, prompting growing concern within the medical community.
Medical professionals refer to the practice of relying excessively on multiple prescription drugs taken at the same time as polypharmacy. Experts say the current level of polypharmacy among seniors is severe.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on December 23rd that out of 46 million Medicare enrollees, 7.6 million were prescribed eight or more medications concurrently for at least 90 days. Among them, 3.9 million seniors were taking 10 or more medications at the same time, while 420,000 were prescribed 15 or more drugs simultaneously.
Experts advise that seniors who take five or more medications at once should consult a specialist due to the risk of misuse and drug interactions. However, many seniors report feeling a psychological sense of “stability” from taking multiple medications, often outweighing concerns about side effects.
Lee warned that seniors with chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol who take five or more medications may experience side effects including confusion and increased risk of falls. He said that when medications with different active ingredients circulate in the body at the same time, they can ultimately damage health rather than improve it.
Lee added that polypharmacy can worsen health conditions, leading patients to increase medication use further and fall into a vicious cycle. According to the WSJ, about 147,000 seniors are taking medications that contain three or more active ingredients at the same time. These seniors are exposed to higher risks of accidents such as falls and fractures caused by dizziness and cognitive decline.
The Korean American medical community is also emphasizing the dangers of polypharmacy and urging seniors to reduce unnecessary medications.
Jay Shin, a pharmacist at Jeil Pharmacy, said about 60% of Korean American seniors believe that taking many medications leads to longevity, making them more inclined toward polypharmacy. Shin said all medications have side effects, and interactions between different drugs can place a burden on the liver and kidneys, stressing that seniors should take only medications that are truly necessary.
Lee also said that when comparing a group taking six or more medications with a group taking a placebo, the placebo group’s survival rate was more than 30% higher. He emphasized the importance of consulting closely with a primary care physician and discontinuing unnecessary medications when appropriate.
BY HYOUNGJAE KIM [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]
