Older adults who take five or more prescription medications face a significantly higher risk of death compared to those taking fewer drugs, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Researchers led by Alexander Chaitoff of the University of Michigan School of Medicine analyzed national survey data from 7,828 adults aged 65 and older collected between 1999 and 2016. Trained staff verified medication use by inspecting participants' pill bottles for the previous 30 days and followed them for an average of 8.5 years.

The study found that each additional prescription medication was linked to a 7% increase in death risk among older adults. After adjusting for overall health and underlying conditions, taking five or more prescriptions was associated with a 38% increase in overall mortality risk. More than half of the participants (54.3%) were categorized as taking at least one high-risk medication.

Medical experts at Cleveland Clinic note that taking multiple medications can increase the likelihood of side effects, adverse drug reactions, and accidental overdose, especially as aging affects liver and kidney function.

However, the study relied on a single 30-day snapshot of medication use at the start, so it shows an association rather than direct proof that the prescriptions caused the higher death risk. Researchers could not track changes in prescriptions or health conditions over time.

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