The Dangers of Excessive Medication, Part 1

Polypharmacy–the prescribing of multiple medications simultaneously–is a big problem, especially among seniors. Surveys reveal that the average 65+ individual takes 14 prescription medications per year! It’s not uncommon to see elderly patients taking 6 or 7 drugs daily. Su Robotti, founder of the Medshadow Foundation (www.medshadow.org), highlights the dangers of excessive medication. What three drug categories cause 60% of the serious complications among seniors? How is it that pharmaceutical meds are the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S.? Of particular concern is the indiscriminate prescribing of opiates for ordinary back pain, a condition that affects 70% of older adults. What are the alternatives? Click HERE for part 2.