A nationally representative study of nearly 5,000 U.S. adults ages 62–85 found that 22.3% were exposed to potentially major drug interactions in 2021–23, down from 25.7% in 2015–16, as use of five or more prescription drugs and multiple supplements increased.
The JAMA study found that use of five or more prescription medicines rose from 31% to 35.7% between 2015–16 and 2021–23. Dietary-supplement polypharmacy increased from 12.6% to 16.7%. Antidepressants, statins and antiplatelet therapies were the medication classes most commonly used in potentially high-risk combinations.
Study author Dima Mazen Qato said efforts to reduce polypharmacy and harmful interactions should focus on commonly used interacting regimens, particularly those involving antidepressants. Independent expert Spencer Kroll cited fragmented care across doctors, pharmacies and hospital networks, and said older patients may not receive a comprehensive review of all their medications.
