POLYPHARMACY

John Cole has been The Times-Tribune's editorial cartoonist since April 2005. He draws five to seven full-color cartoons weekly.

Polypharmacy means "many drugs" and refers to problems that can occur when a patient is taking more medications than are actually needed.

If you are aged 65 or older then chances are that you are taking one or more prescription drugs, (to lower your blood pressure, sugar and cholesterols levels, to thin your blood), as well as products that you can buy over the counter (OTC).

While such medicines can help maintain health and prevent further illness, taking combinations of drugs means that you could be at risk for unwanted drug interactions.

As long as these medications are carefully monitored, the benefits can far outweigh the risks.

If you take prescription drugs and answer yes to any of the questions below you could be at increased risk for polypharmacy.

• Do you take herbs, vitamins or OTC products?
• Do you have to take medicine more than once a day?
• Do you suffer from arthritis?
• Do you visit different doctors or use different pharmacies to fill your prescriptions?
• Do you have poor eyesight or hearing?
• Do you live alone?
• Do you sometimes forget to take your medication?

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor today! Polypharmacy doesn't have to happen.

The Zestzfulness Team provides obligation-free medication counselling to walk-in customers. Of course, we would love to maintain your medication profile for your reference and for consultation with your appointed doctor. Come in and talk to Jacqueline, Leow Fooi Mee, Mahfuza or Poh Ching.