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December 29, 2009 at 07:00 PM
Of American seniors on medications, 51% take at least 5 different prescription drugs regularly, and 25% take between 10 and 19 pills each day, according to a study by a prescription mail-order firm.
The study by Medco Health Solutions Inc., Franklin Lakes, N.J., found 57% said they forget to take their medications. Among those using 5 or more medications, 63% said they forget doses, compared to 51% of those who take fewer medicines.
The survey also found 34% of seniors using 5 or more prescription drugs do not feel knowledgeable enough about the drugs they are prescribed or their potential side effects, and 35% are not sure they can name all the medications they use.
The ability to afford their drugs was the top concern among 40% of seniors taking 5 or more prescriptions daily, followed by their worry over drug side effects (23%) and concern over interactions with other drugs (17%).
