Some over-65s omit their tablets to avoid side effects

SOME ELDERLY people deliberately don't take their prescribed medication because of the side effects while a sizeable proportion miss their tablets because they forget or fall asleep when they are due.

A new survey suggests that slightly more than half of people over 65 who are on more than five tablets a day miss at least some of their medication.

This is in line with a World Health Organisation (WHO) report which found that only about 50 per cent of people take their medication as prescribed,leading to unnecessary disease progression and premature death.

A recent survey carried out by the Sligo Specialist Training Scheme in General Practice found that the majority of patients over 65 who are on more than five tablets a day knew what the medication was for but a few had no idea.

The survey of 18 GMS patients, four of whom were over 80, with a range of health problems such as raised blood pressure, thyroid problems and osteoporosis, found that half of them did not like taking their tablets.

Slightly less than half never missed any tablets. Some missed tablets deliberately because of the side effects while others missed them because they forgot, fell asleep when they were due or because they got confused about which ones they had already taken. Two- thirds of those surveyed suffered side effects such as dizziness, wind or drowsiness.

Dr Faise Bugtor and his research team pointed out that almost half of those surveyed had received no oral or written information from their doctors about their medicines.

Most people said their main sources of information were the leaflets which come with packaging.

Researcher Maeve McDermott said many elderly people were on several tablets a day and she pointed out that failing to take tablets could have dangerous consequences.

"High blood pressure for example is a risk factor for stroke and heart attacks so it is important to take the medication."

The researchers said that many practical measures could be taken to help patients such as providing one-tablet doses for each day where possible, providing diary-style packaging which would help keep track of what has been taken and ensuring that containers are easy for old people to open.

The team urged that oral and written information be provided, that there be communication between pharmacy and GP, and good follow-up to assess if elderly people were experiencing problems.

Ms McDermott pointed out that many elderly people lived alone or were looking after other relatives and may have a difficulty getting transport to a pharmacy.