Medication and Supplement Use by Older Americans

Older adults are heavy users of prescription medications, but how often they use over-the-counter (OTC) medications and dietary supplements is less clear. In a community-based, cross-sectional survey, 3005 adults (age range, 57–85; 49% male; 81% white) described their use of prescription and OTC medications and supplements, and researchers evaluated the potential for drug-drug interactions. More than half of participants had at least some college education, and most had Medicare or private health insurance. Medication use was assessed with in-home interviews and medication logs.

Overall, 81% of subjects used at least one prescription medication (90% of those age 75–85), and nearly half used at least one OTC medication or at least one dietary…