Inappropriate prescriptions and over the counter medications according to beers criteria among underserved aged African americans

Purpose: To determine the incidence of potentially inappropriate prescriptions and over the counter medications for patients older than 65 years in a community-based sample of underserved aged African Americans. Methods: This study recruited 400 elderly African Americans (over 65 years old, taking at least two medications) from 16 churches located in South Los Angeles. An Interviewer administered a questionnaire which was used to collect medication use data. Inappropriate prescribing and over the counter medication usage is considered as those included in the Beers criteria 2012. We recorded age, sex, inappropriate drugs and dosage. Results: Data was collected from 400 patients. Inappropriate prescribing and over the counter medication usage occurred among 279 patients (69% of all cases) in which 52 patients were taking more than 2 types of Inappropriate Rx and OTC. Two-thirds (67%, n=187) of the Inappropriate Rx and OTC occurred in females and one-third (33%, n=92) in males. The main drugs involved were OTC (80% of patients) and among RX were Clonidine (7%), Nifedipine (6%), Terazosin (4%). Conclusion: Results suggest the prescription of inappropriate medications in the elderly is high and it seems that our sample of underserved African American elderly continued receiving older medications that were strongly recommended to be avoided. This is important because they are a cause of adverse reactions, which leads to a significant proportion of hospital admissions. The inclusion of warnings in the program of assisted prescribing and distributing of newsletters about these to the personnel involved, improves and minimizes medication-related problems.