A nationally representative study tracked prescription drug and supplement use among Americans aged 62–85 across two periods: 2015–2016 and 2021–2023. While the share of older adults with potentially major drug-drug interactions dropped slightly, more than one in five still face dangerous combinations. Polypharmacy — taking five or more medications or supplements — increased significantly. Antidepressants remain the most common culprit in harmful interactions, and muscle relaxant use in risky combinations nearly doubled. Researchers are calling for smarter deprescribing strategies that specifically target these high-risk drug pairings to reduce overdose deaths and adverse events in aging populations.
