10 Signs You’re Taking Too Many Prescriptions

Avoid a dangerous drug interaction by knowing these warning signs, which may indicate you're at risk for taking too many medications.

Some of us regularly take prescription drugs for chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or depression, among many others. Prescribed drugs are intended to treat conditions, but they can also cause unpleasant side effects and additional health concerns, especially if you are taking several different prescriptions simultaneously. If this sounds like you, it’s important to go for a medication checkup to determine which drugs are still necessary and which are no longer needed.

Our medical experts share the 10 signs to look for to determine whether you may be taking too many prescription medications.

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You have access to good health care

Just being a patient and growing old with good insurance may put you at risk for over-prescribing. Prescription drugs are designed to heal or manage long-term health issues, but some people are at risk of what’s known as polypharmacy, or taking multiple prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications, plus supplements.

Sometimes patients get prescriptions they don’t need, or two or more pills in their regimen are interacting in dangerous ways. “It is not uncommon for patients to be on multiple medications from multiple doctors at one time,” says Pawan Grover, MD, a spine specialist in Houston. “This is dangerous because we don’t know the complex interactions and side effects of so many drugs.”

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You’re seeing several doctors

“Most patients assume that their doctors are in direct and constant communication with each other and coordinating their care, but this is simply not the case, given the hectic nature of medical practice these days,” explains Dr. Grover. “For example, if a patient develops a problem with the stomach while being on a certain drug, he has to be referred to a [gastroenterologist who specializes in the gastrointestinal tract] GI specialist. The GI specialist is obligated to run a battery of tests. The patient subsequently might be placed on medications to treat stomach issues. Suppose the patient develops dizziness from the combination of the medications he is on, he will then be referred to a neurologist, who will also be obligated to run a battery of tests and might prescribe medications to treat the dizziness. And so on…”

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You recently developed new symptoms

One of the potential signs that someone may be taking too many medications is the onset of new symptoms they may not have experienced in the past, says Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, MD, attending physician, Internal Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. “Taking a large number of different medications comes with the risk of dangerous interactions,” she explains. “These drug-drug interactions may lead to a host of various symptoms such as weakness, cognitive changes, gastrointestinal upset, heart palpitations, and even skin problems. The symptoms are really based upon the specific drug interaction, if one exists.” This means the symptoms or side effects of taking too many medications depends on what type of drugs are being mixed. These are the questions you should always ask before taking prescription medications.

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You struggle to keep up with dosing

If you are taking too many drugs, you may find it difficult to keep up with the scheduled dosing of each one. “Not all medications are once a day dosing,” says Dr. Okeke-Igbokwe. “If it is becoming a huge unbearable onus to keep up with the frequency and timing of all of your medications, that may signal that you are on too many medications. The bottom line is that if you are concerned you may be on too many medications, schedule an appointment with your doctor to review your current list and determine what is necessary for your care.” It’s crucial that patients let each doctor they see know about any and every other drug being taken—whether it is herbal, over-the-counter, or prescribed. “Patients should never hold back in speaking up and asking questions about a new drug that is recommended by their doctor since side effects and drug interactions are always a possibility,” adds Dr. Okeke-Igbokwe.

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You’re worried about addiction

With some prescribed drugs, there is a risk of addiction. “You should be concerned if you are prescribed opioids and benzodiazepines (such as Valium, Ativan or Xanax) because of the risk of addiction,” says Nieca Goldberg, MD, medical director of the Joan H. Tisch Center for Women’s Health at NYU Medical Center in New York City. “In the case of multiple opiates, patients will exhibit pinpoint pupils, drowsiness, sometimes difficulty breathing and impaired function along with severe constipation,” says Dr. Grover.

If you think you (or someone close to you) might be addicted to drugs, get in touch with your local drug treatment center, which has addiction experts who are trained to recognize the signs and provide the necessary help. You can also call 800-662-HELP (4357), the national helpline run by the U.S. government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, for free, confidential information and referrals about substance abuse and mental health. Look out for these 10 silent signs you may have a prescription drug addiction.

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Your mental health is suffering

A common side effect or symptom of being overprescribed medications is a depressed mood, according to David Greuner, MD, of NYC Surgical Associates. “Not only is depression a risk on many medications and also while mixing prescriptions, but also by taking multiple medications at a time it can lead to a difficult life of constantly taking medication,” he warns. “Many patients will also become extremely tired and sedated while taking too many prescriptions at once.”

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You’re constantly battling joint or muscle pain

One of the signs of taking too many medications can be pain. “Many medications can both cause pain as well as confuse the brain regarding the significance or the degree of pain,” explains Barbara Bergin, MD, and orthopedic surgeon in Austin. “In my specialty, most of my patients are suffering from conditions that cause pain. Orthopedic surgeons often focus on the source of that pain: Broken bones, arthritis, sprained joints. But there are sources of pain that might not be coming from our musculoskeletal system.” According to Dr. Bergin, medications that can cause pain include statins (cholesterol-lowering medications) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (medications that help reduce pain by reducing inflammation).

Then there are medications which can confuse the brain when it comes to pain, such as narcotics and [nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs. “When we take these medications our pain can wax and wane, causing us to think we need more medication to reduce the pain, in effect causing a vicious cycle of pain medication use,” says Dr. Bergin. Don’t miss these signs your medications are making you sick.

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You’re under increasing financial pressure

Physical symptoms aside, prescribed drugs are expensive. “Another potential sign that you may be taking too many meds is a notably increased financial strain to afford the medications,” says Dr. Okeke-Igbokwe. “You may notice over time that the amount you are now paying for your medications has sky-rocketed, due to the sheer rise in the number of medications being prescribed.” Of course, your first priority should be to make sure all the medications you are taking are necessary. If so, ask your prescriber about generic versions of the drugs, which are cheaper than the brand names. These conversations will help you figure out a medication regimen that is both effective and affordable.

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You have trouble talking to your doctor

This is not a time to be reticent. If you’re uncomfortable talking to your doctor, bring your spouse or a friend to help out. Always speak to your pharmacist or doctor before you take any new medication or supplement, including pain relief, sleep aids, allergy meds, and herbal, vitamin and mineral supplements.

“This is especially important if you have a history of heart or kidney disease,” says Karin Josephson, a pharmacist at Westfields Hospital & Clinic in New Richmond, Wisconsin. “Some over-the-counter medicines and supplements can react badly with your prescription drugs, which could be dangerous or make your medicine less effective than it should be.”

To avoid getting medications that don’t interact well, stick to seeing one primary doctor and using one primary pharmacy. “Before prescribing you something, your doctor checks to make sure it won’t react badly with your other medicines. Your pharmacist then double checks when filling your prescription,” explains Dr. Greuner. “But if you have another doctor or pharmacist who’s not in close communication with the others, potential interactions might not get flagged.” The onus is on you to be organized: take a list of every medication you take whenever you see your primary doctor or a specialist, and make sure it’s updated whenever a drug is added or removed. Not just physicians can help – any prescriber or pharmacist would be a valuable resource for patients worried about the number of medications they are taking. Patients should try to receive all prescription medications from the same pharmacy, so the pharmacist has a full list to review for potential drug or medical condition interactions.

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You feel your medications are beyond your control

It’s crucial to have a system in place if you’re taking a lot of different medications. Josephson suggests a pillbox and a weekly medicine chart to use as a checklist. “Include each medicine you need to take, when you need to take it and how you need to take it,” she advises. “All of your medicines will have instructions on when to take them. Try to time each dose with your other routine daily activities.”

Get to know your medications, because each one comes with specific instructions. “Some medicines can cause problems if they’re taken too closely together, but a chart can help you space out when you take them,” says Josephson. “It can also help you avoid retaking a medicine you’ve already taken. Likewise, some medicines are best taken with food. Others work best on an empty stomach. And some need to be taken with a full glass of water—not just a sip.” (Don’t miss these 49 secrets your pharmacist won’t tell you.)

Sources
Medically reviewed by Kristyn Williamson, PharmD, BCACP, on March 08, 2021