Senior Medications: What Works, What Doesn’t, and How to Stay Safe

When you’re over 65, senior medications, prescriptions used to manage chronic conditions in older adults. Also known as geriatric pharmacology, it’s not just about treating illness—it’s about keeping you independent, alert, and out of the hospital. The average senior takes four to five prescription drugs daily. Some are for high blood pressure, others for arthritis, diabetes, or sleep. But here’s the problem: your body doesn’t process these drugs the way it did at 30. Your liver and kidneys slow down. Your brain becomes more sensitive. What was a safe dose at 50 might be too much at 75.

This is where polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications at once. Also known as multiple drug therapy, it’s common—but risky. One study found that seniors on five or more medications are twice as likely to end up in the ER from side effects. Think dizziness, confusion, falls, or internal bleeding. And it’s not always the drugs themselves—it’s how they clash. For example, mixing a blood thinner with an NSAID like ibuprofen can cause stomach bleeds. Or taking a sleep aid with an antihistamine for allergies might leave you foggy all day. Even something as simple as grapefruit can wreck the balance, especially if you’re on statins or blood pressure meds.

And then there’s the hidden issue: many doctors don’t fully track what you’re taking. A cardiologist prescribes one thing, a neurologist another, and your primary care doctor might not know about the OTC supplements you’re using. That’s why it’s so important to bring a full list—every pill, patch, and herbal capsule—to every appointment. You’re not being annoying. You’re saving your life.

What you’ll find below isn’t just a list of articles. It’s a practical toolkit. You’ll see how medication interactions, when two or more drugs affect each other’s performance or safety. Also known as drug-drug interactions, they’re often overlooked. We break down real cases: why Reglan might be too risky for older adults, how iron supplements can help restless legs better than dopamine drugs, and why generic drugs aren’t always treated the same by insurers. You’ll learn how to spot delayed reactions—like skin rashes or fever that show up weeks later—and what to do before it’s too late. There’s no fluff. No marketing. Just what works, what doesn’t, and how to ask the right questions.