Practical guidance for living healthier, aging well, and becoming more of who you want to be.
Medicines can make everyday life safer, more comfortable, and more independent. But a prescription that was helpful several years ago may deserve another look after a new diagnosis, a dose change, or the addition of an over-the-counter product.
That does not mean a medicine is “bad,” and it does not mean you should stop taking it. It means that a regular medication review can help you understand what each product does, how they work together, and whether your routine still fits your needs.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that aging can change how the body processes medicines. Older adults are also more likely to use several prescriptions, nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and supplements, which can increase the possibility of side effects and interactions.
What to Bring to a Medication Review
Make one complete list that includes:
- Prescription medicines
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, sleep aids, allergy products, and stomach remedies
- Vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other supplements
- Creams, eye drops, inhalers, patches, and “as needed” medicines
- The dose, time of day, and reason you take each item
- Any recent symptoms, falls, near-falls, or trouble remembering doses
If it is easier, bring the original containers in a bag. Include products you use only occasionally. A sleep aid taken twice a month can still matter when a pharmacist checks for interactions.
Seven Questions Worth Asking
1. What is each medicine for?
Ask for a plain-language explanation of the purpose of every item. If neither you nor the pharmacist can identify why something is still on the list, that is a reason to contact the prescriber—not a reason to stop it on your own.
2. Do I still need all of these?
Health conditions, treatment goals, and daily routines change. Ask whether each medicine is still necessary and whether the dose remains appropriate. Some medicines require gradual dose reduction, so never discontinue a prescription abruptly unless a qualified clinician tells you how.
3. Could any combination cause a problem?
Interactions can involve prescriptions, over-the-counter products, supplements, alcohol, and certain foods. Using one pharmacy when possible can make it easier for the pharmacist to see the full picture. If you use more than one pharmacy, give each pharmacist the same updated list.
4. Could a medicine explain a new symptom?
Tell the pharmacist about dizziness, sleepiness, confusion, blurred vision, constipation, poor appetite, shakiness, or a recent change in balance. The FDA cautions that medication side effects can sometimes resemble other health problems. A new symptom deserves evaluation rather than an assumption that it is simply aging.
5. Could any medicine increase my fall or driving risk?
The CDC’s STEADI pharmacy guidance notes that some medicines used for sleep problems, anxiety, high blood pressure, or chronic pain can contribute to drowsiness, slower reactions, vision changes, or loss of balance. Risk depends on the individual medicine, dose, combination, and person. Ask what warning signs to watch for and whether the prescriber should review a safer alternative or dose.
6. What should I do if I miss a dose?
Do not guess or automatically double the next dose. Ask for instructions for each medicine, especially products taken “as needed” or several times per day. Also ask whether it should be taken with food, whether anything should be avoided, and what time of day is best.
7. Can we make this routine simpler or more affordable?
Ask whether refill dates can be synchronized, whether a pill organizer is appropriate, or whether there is a less expensive equivalent. If labels are hard to read, ask about large-print labels or accessible packaging. If swallowing is difficult, ask before crushing or splitting a tablet because doing so can change how certain medicines work.
After the Review
Write down the pharmacist’s recommendations and share them with the prescribing clinician. A pharmacist can identify a concern, but the prescriber may need to approve a change. Update your medication list after every decision and keep a copy at home and another in your wallet or phone.
Contact a clinician promptly if you develop a new or severe reaction. Call emergency services for symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, fainting, or another life-threatening emergency.
A Simple Habit That Helps
Choose one regular time—your birthday month, the start of a new season, or an annual wellness visit—to review the entire list. Also request a review after a hospital stay, a fall, a new diagnosis, or a significant medication change.
The goal is not to take as few medicines as possible. The goal is to make sure every medicine has a clear purpose, an appropriate dose, and a place in a routine you understand.
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: 5 Medication Safety Tips for Older Adults
- National Institute on Aging: Taking Medicines Safely as You Age
- CDC STEADI-Rx: Pharmacy Care and Medication Review
- CDC: Medicines Risk Fact Sheets and Personal Action Plan
This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change a medicine without guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Reviewed September 9, 2026.
