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Pill organizers could cause adverse effects among elderly

Date:
July 5, 2016
Source:
University of East Anglia
Summary:
Switching to use a pill organizer could cause adverse effects among the elderly, new research suggests. The research team say that patients should consult their GP or pharmacist before switching to a pill organizer.
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Older people who switch to using pill organizers could experience adverse effects and even hospitalization -- according to research from the University of East Anglia.

New research reveals that people who switch from usual medication packaging to a pill organizer are more likely to become unwell than those not using them.

The research team say that patients should consult their GP or pharmacist before switching to a pill organizer.

Lead researcher Dr Debi Bhattacharya, from UEA's School of Pharmacy, said: "A lot of people use pill organizers to help them take the right medication at the right time of the day."

"We found that on average, when patients who had previously taken their medication sporadically were switched to a pill organizer, they took all of their medication and became unwell, whilst those who remained on usual medication packaging did not have any adverse effects.

"The fact that using a pill organizer could cause patients to experience adverse effects from their medication sounds rather counterintuitive."

"It is likely that because the patients had been taking their medication sporadically, they weren't getting the expected health improvements. The doctor may therefore have increased the dose of the medication to try to get the desired effect."

"When these patients were switched to a pill organizer and suddenly started taking more of their prescribed medication than previously, they experienced normal side effects of the medication."

The research team studied people aged over 75 from six medical practices who were prescribed three or more types of medical tablets.

Over a third of the 288 people surveyed were found to be already using a pill organizer of some kind and nearly a quarter showed signs of not taking their medication as prescribed on purpose.

Of the remaining patients, nearly half were not taking their medication as prescribed by mistake.

These 80 patients, who did not already use a pill organizer and who were unintentionally not taking their medication as prescribed, were chosen to take part in the trial. Some patients were excluded -- for example those with a life expectancy of less than 12 months or with severe mental health problems.

A total of 29 participants were eligible to take part in the trial. They were monitored for eight weeks -- with half continuing to take their medication direct from the packet, and half switching to a pill organizer.

Of those using a pill organizer, five adverse events were recorded, compared with none in the usual packaging group. The adverse effects comprised three falls, one hypoglycaemic episode (low blood glucose) and one temporary incapacitation (patient felt unwell; was unable to get out of the bath for 12 hours until rescued).

Dr Bhattacharya said: "The results of this trial are encouraging as they suggest that pill organizers do help patients to take their medication as prescribed. However, when switching from usual packaging to a pill organizer, we recommend that patients speak to their GP or pharmacist to check that the doses of their medication are appropriate.

"People who are already using a pill organizer without any ill effects should not stop using it as they do seem to help some patients take their medication as prescribed. It's the switching stage which appears to be the danger."


Story Source:

Materials provided by University of East Anglia. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Bhattacharya D, Aldus CF, Barton G, Bond CM, Boonyaprapa S, Charles IS, Fleetcroft R, Holland R, Jerosch-Herold C, Salter C, Shepstone L, Walton C, Watson S, Wright DJ. The feasibility of determining the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of medication organisation devices compared with usual care for older people in a community setting: systematic review, stakeholder focus groups and feasibility randomised controlled . Health Technology Assessment, July 2016 DOI: 10.3310/hta20500

Cite This Page:

University of East Anglia. "Pill organizers could cause adverse effects among elderly." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 5 July 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160705203149.htm>.
University of East Anglia. (2016, July 5). Pill organizers could cause adverse effects among elderly. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160705203149.htm
University of East Anglia. "Pill organizers could cause adverse effects among elderly." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160705203149.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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