Which is a common risk associated with polypharmacy in older adults?

• A. Decreased risk of falls
• B. Increased risk of adverse drug events
• C. Improved cognitive function
• D. Reduced drug interactions

Answer: (B)

Taking multiple medications in older adults commonly increases the chance of adverse drug events. As people age, changes in physiology—more sensitivity to drugs, slower metabolism, and reduced kidney function—mean drugs can accumulate or interact more readily. When several medicines are used together, the risk of drug–drug interactions, dosing errors, and cumulative side effects rises, leading to events like dizziness, confusion, bleeding, kidney injury, or falls. That’s why the option describing an increased risk of adverse drug events is the best choice. The other ideas aren’t supported: polypharmacy does not typically reduce fall risk or improve cognition, and it certainly does not reduce drug interactions; in fact, it tends to increase them.