Elders take risky drug combinations

CHICAGO - At least 2 million older Americans are taking a combination of drugs or supplements that can be a risky mix - from blood thinners and cholesterol pills to aspirin and ginkgo capsules - a new study warns.

Among older men, the numbers are particularly alarming - one in 10 is taking potentially harmful combinations, according to the study.

The results aren't always disastrous, but older people are more vulnerable to side effects and drug interactions. And patients need to know that just because lots of medicines and supplements don't require prescriptions doesn't mean they're harmless.

Nor are some of these safe to take when a patient is prescribed other medications.

Health officials advise people to ask about side effects of prescription drugs, and tell their doctors before taking other medicines. The report showing just how many older people are using risky combinations comes from a study of nearly 3,000 interviews with people aged 57 to 85.

The research, funded by the National Institutes of Health and University of Chicago, appears in today's issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

ASSOCIATED PRESS