More Medications, More Risks. If You’re Worried, Start a Deprescribing Discussion.

(Maria Fabrizio for WPLN and KFF Health News) For nearly three years, Jonathan Bledsoe of Reading, Pennsylvania, took one prescription to stabilize his mood and one to keep his cholesterol in check, among a handful of other medications. “You wouldn’t think you would have to be your own advocate and look out for yourself as far as managing your medications,” the Marine veteran said. “But when you wake up one morning and what you pee comes out the color of fresh brewed coffee, there’s an issue.” He took his concerning symptoms back to his multiple doctors and learned the interaction between his medications was starting to damage his liver. After he changed medications, his liver and kidney function returned to normal. Adverse drug interactions are becoming a bigger health concern as more people take multiple medications, said Amanda Mixon, a hospitalist and associate professor of bioinformatics at Vanderbilt University. The percentage of Americans over 65 taking five or more medications, known as polypharmacy, nearly doubled from 2000 to 2020, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Now, more than a third of older adults are taking five or more medications a day. Mi...