Health experts have issued an urgent warning to Britons taking multiple medications, as new data reveals that half are unaware of the potentially life-threatening side effects of their medicine combinations. The warning, from elderly care provider TakingCare and pharmacy service PillTime, highlights common over-the-counter and prescription drugs that may interact dangerously.
Elderly people are particularly at risk, with the average 70-year-old in the UK taking around eight medications daily. Prescribing pharmacist Peter Thnoia warned that combining heart medications such as furosemide or indapamide with metformin can cause severe dehydration and low blood pressure. “If an elderly person taking one of these medications finds themselves sweating more than normal, they may quickly reach a state where their blood pressure is very low and which will drastically increase their chance of a fall,” he explained.
Lauren Frake, elderly care expert at TakingCare, noted that over 40% of falls recorded by the company involve patients taking heart medication. “This, combined with the fact that a person’s risk of having a fall drastically increases once they enter the 70+ age bracket, creates the perfect storm,” she said. Meanwhile, antihistamines taken with sedatives or benzodiazepines can cause dangerous drowsiness, and oral decongestants like pseudoephedrine may interact with antidepressants, leading to irritability, delayed reactions, and confusion.
The experts advise patients to be aware of these risks, especially during summer when hay fever medication is common. “Taking antihistamines in conjunction with benzodiazepines should be handled carefully,” Thnoia added, as drowsiness can increase fall risk and affect driving.
