Getting a Handle on Prescription Medications

Dear Savvy Senior: I’m concerned that my 80-year-old mother is taking too many medications. She takes 10 drugs prescribed by three doctors, which I think is causing her some problems. She struggles to keep up with all the drug costs. Any suggestions? — Concerned Daughter

Dear Concerned: Older Americans are taking more prescription medications than ever before. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, around 40 percent of seniors, age 65 and older, take five or more medications. And the more drugs a person takes, the higher their risk for medication problems.

Brown bag review

To get a better handle on the medications your mom is taking, gather up all her pill bottles — include all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements — and take them to her primary doctor or pharmacist for a drug checkup. This will give you a chance to check for duplicate meds, excessive doses and dangerous interactions.

Medicare Part B covers free yearly medication reviews with a doctor and many Medicare Part D plans cover medication reviews with pharmacists.

You should note that Saturday is “National Check Your Meds Day.” A number of pharmacies — Costco, CVS, Sam’s Club, Target, Walmart and many independents — have agreed to support the effort. Ask your pharmacy whether it is participating.

When you get your mom’s review, go over the basics for each medication, such as what it’s for, how long she should take it, what it costs and any side effects or interactions. Ask if there are any meds she can stop taking, if there are nondrug options that might be safer, and whether she can switch to a lower dose.

Make sure her primary doctor is aware of all the medications, over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Keep a list of everything she takes and share it with every doctor she sees. Have your mom fill all her prescriptions at the same pharmacy and inform her pharmacist of over-the counter, herbal or mail-order prescriptions so there is complete oversight of her medications.

How to save

To help cut your mom’s medication costs, find out if there are generic alternatives to her drugs, which can save between 20 and 90 percent.

Ask your mom’s doctors if any of the pills she takes could be cut in half. Pill splitting allows you to get two months worth of medicine for the price of one. And for the drugs she takes long-term, ask for a three-month prescription, which may be cheaper.

Drug prices can vary depending on where you buy them. Save by shopping around (GoodRX.com will help you compare prices), and find out if your mom’s insurance offers deals from preferred pharmacies or a mail-order service.

If your mom’s income is limited, she may qualify for help through drug assistance programs offered through pharmaceutical companies, government agencies and charitable organizations. To find these types of programs use BenefitsCheckUp.org.

Jim Miller is a contributor to NBC-TV’s “Today” program and author of “The Savvy Senior.” Send your questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070; or visit savvysenior.org.