Dangers of Nonprescription Medicines: Educating and Counseling Older Adults

To provide a review for health care providers regarding appropriate education and counseling for older adults involving commonly used nonprescription medicines with potential for adverse effects, drug-drug interactions, or toxicity when incorrectly selected or overused.

A literature search was performed using MEDLINE and PUBMED to locate relevant articles. DAILYMED was used for manufacturer dosage recommendations. Additionally, peer-reviewed textbooks were consulted for evidence-based standards of care.

Articles were reviewed and selected for inclusion based on relevance to the subject and accuracy of information provided. Articles chosen were published between March 2008 and December 2016. Additionally, several textbook chapters providing information for nonprescription medicines chosen for evaluation in this review were used.

Nonprescription medicines are accessible and widely used by older adults. Polypharmacy and drug duplication are concerns because of negative outcomes. Given the accessibility and knowledge of pharmacists, they are often asked questions regarding nonprescription medicines.

Pharmacists have a duty and responsibility to commit to lifelong learning and to provide appropriate education and counseling on the use of nonprescription medicines. This will help decrease overall health care costs and potential negative problems associated with polypharmacy among older adults that include adverse effects, toxicity, and drug-drug interactions.