Potentially Dangerous Medications and Medical Devices Seniors Should Be Aware Of

As people age, they become more susceptible to health problems. As a result, an estimated 81 percent of seniors take some sort of prescription medication.

Furthermore, by 2030 there will be 72.1 million people in the United States older than 65—and they will be living longer. Fortunately, modern medicine has expanded along with the population, and will likely continue to mature to fit the needs of this growing group of people.

Health problems are not always unavoidable; however, there are precautions seniors can take to ensure they’re getting the proper care and staying away from potentially dangerous drugs and medical devices.

Here are a few well-known drugs and devices popular among seniors that have been known to cause complications:

Hip Implants

Of the half million hip replacement surgeries done per year in the United States, doctors perform the majority of them on senior patients, who have weaker bones and are more likely to have slip-and-fall accidents. And while hip replacement surgery may be a good answer, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks involved.

Some hip replacement implants were recalled following complications stemming from their metal-on-metal design. Companies like Stryker, Biomet and DePuy are under fire for manufacturing these types of devices, which can release bits of metal into the body, causing metallosis and tissue damage.

Diabetes Drugs

The American Diabetes Association reports that more than a quarter of adults older than 65 have diabetes, which means many seniors are taking prescription drugs to help control the condition.

While there are tons of medications out there to help stabilize blood sugar, some have been known to cause serious complications. A few examples of these are:

1. Actos: Reported to cause blurry vision, fractured bones, heart failure, bladder cancer and lactic acidosis.
2. Byetta: Reported to cause thyroid cancer, kidney damage, pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis.
3. Januvia: Reported to cause kidney issues, pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis.
4. Tradjenta: Reported to cause pancreatitis.

Transvaginal Mesh

Transvaginal mesh is a piece of synthetic material used to support the pelvic organs of women who experience pelvic organ prolapse (a condition caused when the pelvic organs drop from their usual position) or stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Prolapse is extremely common, affecting up to 50 percent of women at some point in their lives—and especially as they age.

Many mesh products have been the target of lawsuits filed by women who have reported complications such as vaginal erosion, infection, fecal incontinence and organ perforation. While surgery may be the only option depending on the severity of the condition, it’s crucial that women talk to their doctor about alternative treatment methods or surgeries that don’t use mesh.

 

Jen Juneau is a staff writer for Drugwatch.com. She thrives on encouraging others to educate themselves about drugs, surgery and other medical options.