Geriatric Prescribing: Safe Medication Use for Older Adults

When it comes to geriatric prescribing, the practice of selecting and adjusting medications for older adults based on age-related changes in the body. Also known as prescribing for the elderly, it’s not just about treating disease—it’s about avoiding harm. As we age, our kidneys and liver don’t process drugs the same way. What was a safe dose at 50 can become toxic at 75. This isn’t guesswork—it’s science, and ignoring it puts seniors at real risk.

polypharmacy in seniors, the use of five or more medications at once. Also known as medication overload, it’s one of the biggest dangers in geriatric care. A senior might take blood pressure meds, a statin, an antidepressant, a painkiller, and a sleep aid—all prescribed by different doctors. Each one works fine alone. Together? They can cause confusion, falls, kidney failure, or even death. Look at the posts here: Trimethoprim raising potassium levels in older patients on blood pressure drugs, NSAIDs triggering acute kidney injury, topiramate increasing kidney stone risk—these aren’t edge cases. They’re routine mistakes.

drug interactions older adults, how medications combine unpredictably in aging bodies. Also known as pharmacodynamic interactions, they’re often missed because doctors focus on one condition at a time. Take lisinopril and potassium-sparing diuretics—fine for a young person. Add in trimethoprim or spironolactone? Potassium spikes. Add in NSAIDs? Kidneys start to shut down. These aren’t rare side effects. They’re predictable, preventable, and happening right now to people you know.

Age doesn’t mean you need more drugs—it means you need smarter ones. The FDA’s boxed warnings evolve because we keep learning what kills older patients. Azilsartan helps cystic fibrosis patients with high blood pressure because it’s gentle on kidneys. Acamprosate needs counseling because it doesn’t work alone. Buspar is better than benzodiazepines for long-term anxiety because it doesn’t cause falls. These aren’t random facts. They’re patterns. And they’re all here.

What you’ll find below isn’t just a list of articles. It’s a map. A map of the most dangerous drugs for seniors, the safest alternatives, and the hidden risks hiding in plain sight. No fluff. No theory. Just what works, what doesn’t, and what could save a life.