Open Access
American Research Journal of Geriatrics and Aging
ISSN (Online): 2639-3093
DOI: 10.46568/arjga
Prescription Medication Use in the Oldest Old of South-Central United States
1Reynolds Institute on Aging and Department of Geriatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
²Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare Services, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
3College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
Janna L Hawthorne, Leslie J Warford, Lisa C Hutchison, Amanda K Pangle, Elvin T Price,
Jeanne Y Wei, Gohar Azhar. “Prescription Medication Use in the Oldest Old of South-Central United States”.
American Research Journal of Geriatrics and Aging; V1, I1; pp: 1-10
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate medication use in the oldest old residing in Arkansas with a retrospective chart review
at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Medical records from individuals aged 95 years or older
treated at a medical center between January, 2011 and June, 2013 (n = 121) were reviewed to determine the
frequency of medication use and category of medications used.
Results: Of the 121 individuals studied, 13.2 % (n=16) were not on any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC)
medications. The remaining 105 patients consumed a mean of 4.8±2.7prescription medications daily. The
most commonly used category of prescription medications were those for cardiovascular health. Seventy six
percent of those taking any medication (n=80)took at least 1 antihypertensive daily (ranging from 1-5 daily).
Approximately 46% (n=55) were on diuretics and about 11% (n=12) were prescribed an HMG-CoA reductase
inhibitor. Medications for endocrine disorders, diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism were taken by 27% of the
subjects who were prescribed any medication. Other commonly prescribed medications for the 105 individuals
taking medication included anti-depressants (47%) and opioids (29%). Aspirin was the most commonly used
OTC medication at 44%, followed closely by acetaminophen and calcium & vitamin D supplements. Other
high frequency OTC included laxatives (34%) and stool softeners (22%). Issues with polypharmacy appear to
continue in the oldest nonagenarian and centenarian population.The fact that these individuals still survived
beyond the ninth decade speaks to their resilience and favorable genetic profile.
