Medication Overload: Watch for Drug Interactions

A hot topic in the news lately has been about medication interactions with older people. Associated Press medical writer Lindsey Tanner wrote a story titled, "Millions of older Americans use risky drug combos," which encapsulated the problem well. As people age, they often are prescribed more medications for compounding health problems. They also are more apt to take herbs and over-the-counter medications. The sum total of these products can end up being a toxic stew. Since older people often don't metabolize medications well, the buildup in the body can worsen this problem.

Read more about medication interactions and the elderly: