Study finds too many Quebec seniors being overprescribed inappropriate medications
Georges Marcoux was well on his way up the corporate ladder when he was hit with unbearable stress and anxiety.
When he couldn't sleep, he went to his doctor, and was given a prescription for Oxazepam, a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety.
It helped, and he ended up taking the medication every day for 35 years.
"It was a routine," he said. "So I never asked myself why. Never asked myself, should I stop it?"
He says over the years, no doctor or pharmacist ever questioned why he was taking the drug, which can be habit-forming and increase the risk of accidents.
Marcoux said it wasn't until he started learning more about the side effects of the drug he was taking that he decided he needed to stop.
"I could fall, I could have problems with driving," he said. "I also had five brothers and sisters that died of Alzheimer's, and I was not going to go that route."
Dr. Emily McDonald, director of the Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network, said seniors are especially at risk of being prescribed potentially inappropriate medications.
That's because they are often dealing with multiple ailments at once, and time with their doctor is limited.
"When you're in the doctor's office, there are a lot of time pressures. So it is faster to write a prescription than to explain why we don't necessarily have a solution for the problem in front of us. Sometimes we don't have a good medication option, and so we pick the only option that we have," she said.
McDonald and her team at the Research Institute at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) studied prescription data collected between 2013 and 2021, and 42 per cent of people over the age of 65 are taking at least one inappropriate medication, which can lead to falls and cognitive impairment. The three most overprescribed were:
- Gabapentinoids: an anti-seizure medication
- Proton pump inhibitors: treatment for gastric reflux
- Antipsychotics: used to treat mood and sleep disorders
She says while effective, many of these medications are not meant to be taken long-term, and as we age, the way we metabolize medications changes.
"I think patients really need to be empowered to ask, what are the side effects of this medication? Would it be better if I took no medication at all? Is there a non medication treatment for this?" she said.
She adds that there needs to be more shared decision-making between the prescriber and the patient.
In January, Quebec's College of Physicians announced more measures to monitor doctors who may be overprescribing drugs such as opioids and benzodiazepines.
McDonald said there's a growing awareness of the problem and more resources to help people quit. Anyone who wants to find out more about the drug they are taking and find support can go to the Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network website.
Joining a sleep study helped Marcoux get off Oxazepam. He said the process took a year and was challenging, but he's not only feeling better, but now he's sleeping better, too.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Overwhelmed families surrendering custody of their children to CAS
Last week, Nickel Belt MPP France Gelinas told the Ontario Legislature about a mother in her riding who gave up guardianship of her eight-year-old, high-needs daughter to the Children’s Aid Society (CAS).
Trump's defence choice stuns the Pentagon and raises questions about the Fox News host's experience
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump stunned the Pentagon and the broader defense world by nominating Fox News host Pete Hegseth to serve as his defense secretary, tapping someone largely inexperienced and untested on the global stage to take over the world's largest and most powerful military.
W5 investigation How did thieves steal your car? Maybe with a device they ordered online
Digital devices that a Toronto-area police department warns are used in the most common method of stealing cars are for sale online for anyone to buy, a W5 investigation has found.
Trump's appointees have criticized Trudeau, warned of border issues with Canada
Donald Trump's second administration is filling up with some of his most loyal supporters and many of the people landing top jobs have been critical of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and security at Canada's border.
Japanese owner of 7-Eleven receives another offer to rival Couche-Tard bid
The Japanese owner of 7-Eleven says it has received a new management buyout proposal from a member of the family that helped found the company.
Loblaw Companies reports Q3 profit up from year ago, revenue also higher
Loblaw Companies Ltd. reported its third-quarter profit rose compared with a year ago, boosted by the reversal of a charge at its President's Choice Bank after a Federal Court of Appeal decision.
Nearly 80 per cent of Canadians use winter tires: survey
Almost four out of five Canadian drivers switch to winter tires when the weather calls for them, according to a new survey.
South Korean actor Song Jae-lim found dead at 39
Song Jae-lim, a South Korean actor known for his roles in K-dramas 'Moon Embracing the Sun' and 'Queen Woo,' was found dead at his home in capital Seoul. He was 39.
John Krasinski named People magazine's 2024 Sexiest Man Alive
John Krasinski is People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive for 2024.