Drug combinations and potential for risk of adverse drug reaction among community-dwelling elderly.

Data were gathered through personal interviews from a sample of 667 people 65 years of age and older, living in community settings and managing their own health. Almost two thirds of these older respondents reported at least one drug-drug or drug-alcohol combination associated with a possible adverse reaction. The largest percentage of respondents were taking combinations of medications that could place them at risk for hypotension and cognitive impairment. These results suggest the need for more detailed screening of specific medications used by older people who report taking certain categories of drugs.