What is a significant concern when prescribing cough and cold medications to older adults?

The potential for drug-drug interactions is particularly significant when prescribing cough and cold medications to older adults due to several factors inherent to this population. Older adults often have multiple comorbidities, leading to polypharmacy, which increases the likelihood of interactions between prescribed medications. Changes in liver and kidney function that accompany aging can also impact how drugs are metabolized and excreted, resulting in higher concentrations of medications in the bloodstream and an increased risk of adverse effects.

Additionally, the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of drugs can differ in older individuals, altering the expected effects and potentially leading to complications when medications interact. Therefore, careful consideration and thorough review of an older adult's medication regimen are necessary to minimize the risk of harmful interactions, making this a crucial concern when prescribing medications in this population.