The use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and OTC analgesics in particular, poses challenges in older adult populations. According to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, 93% of adults in the United States prefer to treat their minor ailments with OTC medicines before seeking care from a health care provider.2 Furthermore, adults 65 years of age and older use more prescription and OTC medications than any other demographic group, and they account for 30% of OTC medication use in the United States.3,4 Older adults are significantly more likely to experience an adverse drug reaction than younger adults, with a reported 61.5% of emergency department visits occurring among older adults because of adverse drug reactions.3,5,6
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