Geriatric Pharmacology: Safe Medication Use for Older Adults

When we talk about geriatric pharmacology, the study of how medications affect older adults differently than younger people. Also known as aging and drug response, it’s not just about dosage—it’s about how the body changes after 65, how multiple drugs interact, and why what worked at 40 can turn dangerous at 75. Your liver and kidneys don’t process drugs the same way they used to. Muscle mass drops, fat increases, and your brain becomes more sensitive to sedatives. That’s why a pill that once helped you sleep might now leave you dizzy, confused, or on the floor after a fall.

polypharmacy, taking five or more medications at once. Also known as medication burden, it’s common in older adults managing diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, and heart disease—but it’s also the biggest risk factor for hospital visits due to drug reactions. One drug can block another from working. Calcium supplements can stop your osteoporosis meds from being absorbed. A simple decongestant can spike your blood pressure if you’re already on a beta blocker like betaxolol. And don’t forget the silent dangers: antidepressants that cause agitation, statins that trigger muscle pain, or sedatives that make falls 30% more likely. These aren’t side effects you can ignore—they’re red flags that need a medication review.

drug interactions, when two or more medicines change how each other works in your body. Also known as medication clashes, they’re behind half of all adverse events in seniors. It’s not just pills—herbs, OTC painkillers, and even grapefruit juice can mess with your prescriptions. That’s why a Medicare Annual Medication Review isn’t just paperwork—it’s a lifesaver. And it’s why pharmacogenomics, testing how your genes affect drug response, is starting to matter more for older patients. You’re not just aging—you’re becoming a unique drug profile.

What you’ll find below isn’t theory. It’s real stories from people managing multiple conditions, caregivers who caught dangerous combos before it was too late, and doctors who know which drugs to avoid in seniors. From how to time calcium with bisphosphonates to why certain ADHD meds can trigger anxiety in older adults, every post here is about making medication use safer, simpler, and smarter—for you or someone you love.