Nonprescription Drug Use in the Elderly

A survey of OTC drug use in the elderly was performed on 39 elderly residents in North Carolina. The results of this study were published in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing. In the article "Self Medication with Over the Counter Drugs Among Elderly Adults" patients were asked to respond to a variety of questions. These included questions regarding their overall health, OTC medication history including frequency of use, symptoms being treated, prescription medication history, and alcohol or caffeine intake. The most prevalent chronic diseases identified were arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, cataracts and glaucoma and heart problems. The authors found that the most common symptom being treated was pain and that 90% of the participants in the study took OTC pain medications. Other categories of nonprescription medications that were identified as being used frequently were medications to treat constipation, cough and cold and GI problems. Greater than 50% of the patients consumed caffeine on a daily basis. While the study population was small (N=39) the authors felt that the results of the study indicated a need for health care providers to pay particular attention to the use of OTC medications in the elderly due to the potential risks for adverse drug reactions, drug - drug interactions and drug - disease interactions.

Self Medication with Over the Counter Drugs Among Elderly Adults Amoako EP, Richardson-Campbell L, Kennedy-Malone L. J Gerontological Nursing 2003 Aug:29(8): 10-5 Return to Top