Drug Interactions Declined Among Older Americans
A study found that while polypharmacy rose, the frequency of major drug interactions dropped from 2015 to 2023.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Senior Health
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Between 2015 and 2023, the proportion of older Americans experiencing potentially major drug-drug interactions fell from 25.7% to 22.3%. This trend occurred even as the overall use of polypharmacy involving both prescription drugs and dietary supplements increased during the same period.
Why it matters
Identifying shifts in medication patterns is crucial for understanding how healthcare providers manage complex regimens for aging populations. While more seniors are taking multiple medications, the decrease in major interactions suggests improvements in clinical prescribing practices.
Researchers analyzed data from 4,940 individuals using the Cerner-Multum Lexicon Plus database. The study tracked prescription polypharmacy increasing to 35.7% and supplement polypharmacy rising to 16.7%.
The details
The analysis compared medication records from 2,754 individuals in the first study wave with 2,186 participants in the later period. While interactions involving benzodiazepines and opioids decreased, regimens involving muscle relaxants saw an increase from 1.35% to 2.49%.
Timeline
Data collection for the first study wave occurred from 2015 to 2016.
Data collection for the second study wave took place between 2021 and 2023.
The Big Picture
The study relied on the Cerner-Multum Lexicon Plus database to evaluate long-term medication safety trends. This research utilized the established drug-interaction criteria within the database to quantify shifts in patient risk profiles over an eight-year period.
Older adults should review their full regimen, including supplements, with a pharmacist or physician to ensure safety. This is especially important as the research indicates that while some risk factors are decreasing, other categories of interacting drugs are on the rise.
The takeaway
Patients should maintain an updated list of all medications and dietary supplements to facilitate better monitoring by their healthcare team. Open communication regarding these combinations can help avoid potentially dangerous side effects as clinical standards evolve.
Further reading
For more on managing long-term prescriptions and aging, visit our Senior Health section.
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Do you feel confident about the safety of the various medications and supplements you take daily?
