Older Americans are being over-prescribed, suggested new research finding that the percentage of people over 65 taking three or more mind-altering drugs has more than doubled in the past decade.
What's more, nearly half of these patients were not formally diagnosed with mental health issues, insomnia, or pain conditions.
Researchers found that 1.4% of doctor visits by seniors involved three or more central nervous system-affecting medication in 2013 compared to 0.6% in 2004, meaning 3.68 million doctor visits a year involve older patients taking three or more brain-altering drugs.
The authors said the latest findings are "concerning" as combining multiple drugs such as opioids, antidepressants, tranquilizers, and antipsychotics are associated with serious risks, particularly in seniors.
"We hope that the newer prescribing guidelines for older adults encourage providers and patients to reconsider the potential risks and benefits from these combinations," said lead author Donovan Maust, MD, MS, of the University of Michigan.