Drug side effects increase with age

Side effects increase in advanced age

As the German Pharmacists Association announced, increase side effects and drug interactions in old age. According to the association, older women who have a low body weight are particularly at risk. A low body weight automatically increases the effectiveness of the drugs and thus the risk of overdose.

The Association of German Pharmacists' Associations warned in Berlin today about the increasing interaction of medicinal products in old age. Women who have a low body weight, were particularly affected, as they said. If the women weigh little, the risk of overdose also increases. Significant side effects can occur, for example, in medicines for insomnia, pain or depression. As a cause of the association said that people of retirement age increasingly take different medications. So-called interactions are then difficult to prevent, as the association announced.

Patients should tell their pharmacist and doctor exactly what medications are being taken. It is also important, even supposedly „harmless“ Mineral preparations or naturopathic means to be indicated. Because even these preparations can lead to side effects with drugs. Due to the large number of different remedies, the problem of unwanted side effects could be alleviated. (sb, 30.09.2010)