Over 20% of Older US Adults Face Potential Drug Interaction Risks
A new USC study published in JAMA reveals that over 20% of older American adults remain at risk for potential drug interactions despite slight decreases in rates.
Dietary supplements and prescription drugs are widely used around the globe, and while the frequency of significant drug interactions has slightly decreased, more than one in five older adults in the United States remain at potential risk, according to a study led by the University of Southern California (USC) and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Rising Rates of Polypharmacy
Using nationally representative data from nearly 5,000 community-dwelling American adults aged 62 to 85, researchers compared medication and supplement use between 2015-2016 and 2021-2023. They found that polypharmacy—defined as taking five or more prescription drugs simultaneously—increased from 31% to 35.7%. The concurrent use of multiple dietary supplements also rose, climbing from 12.6% to 16.7%.
"These findings highlight the need for ongoing efforts to improve medication safety among older adults," said Dr. Dima Qato, one of the study's lead researchers. "Efforts to reduce polypharmacy and harmful drug interactions should focus on common interaction regimens, particularly those involving antidepressants."
How to Minimize Risks
Experts recommend several steps to mitigate potential adverse drug interactions without abruptly stopping necessary treatments:
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Report all products: Inform physicians about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
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Consult pharmacists: Community pharmacists are an excellent resource for reviewing potential drug-drug and drug-supplement interactions.
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Never stop medications independently: Altering dosages or discontinuing prescribed treatments without medical supervision can be dangerous.
