Polypharmacy: Statins and Other Drugs You May Consider Deprescribing
Polypharmacy is a growing problem in the United States and many other countries throughout the world. In fact, a full 35.8% of older adult Americans take five or more medications at a time, and approximately 15.1% of them are at risk for a potential major drug-drug interaction, according to results of a longitudinal, nationally representative study.
Polypharmacy in the Elderly: Taking Too Many Medications Can Be Risky
Treating only one chronic medical condition may require several prescriptions, but for seniors who often have several ailments, their medication regimens can be very complex. It can get to the point where the patient doesn’t know all the drugs they are taking, why they’re needed, or how to take them properly. What’s worse is that even their physicians may not be aware of all the medications they’re taking…
Giving Up Alcohol for just 1 Month has Lasting Benefits
“The simple act of taking a month off alcohol helps people drink less in the long term; by August, people are reporting one extra dry day per week,” notes Dr. de Visser.
“There are also considerable immediate benefits: nine in 10 people save money, seven in 10 sleep better, and three in five lose weight,” he adds.
70% reported better overall health and 54% said that they noticed better skin health after giving up alcohol for just one month…
The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Medications
If you take medication of any sort, even over-the-counter or herbal remedies, drinking alcohol can have serious consequences. In some cases, alcohol can make the medications less effective, interfering with their absorption in the digestive tract. At other times, it can increase the bioavailability of a drug, raising blood concentration to toxic levels.
Medications Not to Take With Alcohol
Whether or not the drug label warns against alcohol use, do not assume that the absence of a warning means that everything is okay.
If in doubt, contact your doctor and ask if alcohol should be avoided with any of the drugs you are taking, especially chronic or prescription medications…
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