Older patients on medley of drugs ‘at higher risk of adverse reactions’

Older people prescribed 10 or more medicines by GPs at threefold increased risk, researchers say

Older women are at higher risk than older men of experiencing adverse reactions to drugs prescribed by their family doctor, and older patients taking more than 10 medicines are at higher risk than those taking fewer, according to a study.

Overall, one in four older people experience adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to pills prescribed by their GP, the research published in the British Journal of General Practice suggests.