Seniors Taking Multiple Medications May Face Unexpected Health Effects

Older adults discharged from hospitals on multiple medications are less likely to regain independence during rehabilitation, a new study suggests.

The Japanese study, published in the journal BMC Geriatrics on December 17, explored the effects of polypharmacy (defined as taking six or more regular medications on a regular basis) at a convalescent rehabilitation hospital in Japan.

The retrospective observational study examined 1,903 patients ages 65 and older who underwent in-hospital rehabilitation from April 2017 to March 2024, according to a news release.

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The patients had one of three conditions: cerebrovascular disease (a disorder of the brain’s blood vessels that reduce or block blood flow), motor disorder (a condition that affects the movement and control of muscles), or disuse syndrome (inactivity leading to muscle weakness and physical deterioration).

Of the total group, 62.1% of patients were taking six or more medications when they were discharged from the hospital, and more than 76% of them were 80 years or older.

Those taking multiple medications were also more likely to take benzodiazepine receptor agonists (for anxiety or insomnia), laxatives, and psychotropic medications (used primarily for depression, anxiety, psychosis, and other mood disorders).

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The researchers determined that those with polypharmacy who had cerebrovascular disease and disuse syndrome scored significantly lower on the functional independence measure (FIM), which assesses how independently a person can perform activities of daily living, especially after an illness, injury, or hospitalization. Those in the motor disorders group showed no link between polypharmacy and FIM.

The negative effects were strongest among adults over 80 and those recovering from stroke-related conditions or general weakness due to inactivity.

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Based on these findings, researchers suggest that reviewing and reducing unnecessary medications could help improve recovery for those in rehabilitation.

News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel calls polypharmacy with seniors a “risky proposition.”

“Although each medication can have a purpose, often an important one, we must keep in mind that the ability to tolerate various medications and metabolize them efficiently decreases as one ages,” he told News Digital.

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“For example, a medication that sedates you or even has the potential to disorient you is more likely to do so as you age.”

Drug interactions also tend to increase as patients age, Siegel added.

“All of this should be carefully monitored by your doctor, and sometimes less is more,” he said.

The study had some limitations, the researchers acknowledged. Because of its retrospective, observational design, it does not prove that the medications caused the outcome.

The researchers also lacked data on specific doses of the medications and the intensity of rehabilitation, they noted. Additionally, the study was conducted in a single hospital, so the results may not apply to more general populations.

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Future research is needed to determine which specific medications impact recovery most and explore the best approaches to reduce prescriptions.