Too Many Medicines

9 to 13 medicines at once? For many home health patients, that's normal. But the more you take, the more things can go wrong.

Today we're talking about having too many medicines — and the one question you should ask at every single visit.

Many home health patients take somewhere between 9 and 13 medicines at a time. That's prescription medicines, plus vitamins, plus anything you pick up at the store. When you take a lot of medicines together, the chances go up that some may not work well together. It can also make it harder to know which medicine is doing what.

Here's what you need to know: some medicines can raise your risk of falls and confusion. Especially when you're taking many at once.

Some sleeping pills — and some allergy or bladder medicines that cause drowsiness — can make you dizzy or confused. That raises the chance of a fall. The more medicines you take, the more important it is to check whether any of yours are in this group. Your nurse or pharmacist can help you look at your list.

Here's something that doesn't get talked about enough. Sometimes a medicine causes a side effect — like dizziness — and a second medicine gets added to treat that dizziness. Instead of going back and asking: could the first medicine be causing this? This is called a prescribing cascade. It can happen to anyone, and your team may not catch it unless they see all your medicines at the same time.

That's why this step matters so much. At every home visit, bring all of your medicines. Not just the prescription bottles. Everything. Over-the-counter medicines. Vitamins and supplements. Herbal teas or anything you take for health. If you can't bring the bottles, bring a list. Your nurse needs the full picture to keep you safe.

At your next visit, ask this question: "Do I still need all of these?" And if you have new symptoms, also ask: "Could one of my medicines be causing a side effect — and are we treating that side effect with another medicine?" That's the deprescribing conversation. Your provider or pharmacist can review your full list with you.

Now — the most important rule. NEVER stop a medicine on your own. Even if you feel fine. Even if you think you don't need it anymore. Stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Always ask your provider first. It's okay to ask. That's what the team is here for.

Before we go — think about this: What's the one question to ask about each medicine at your next visit? "Do I still need this?" And remember: never stop on your own.

Up next: Medication Safety Basics. One list. One pharmacy. How to stay on track. Watch MED01 — Medication Safety.