Taking Ibuprofen or Omeprazole After 60? These 5 Medicines Need a Second Look
A medicine that suited you well at 45 may still be helpful at 65—but it may no longer behave in quite the same way. That is not because the medicine has suddenly become “bad.” It is because the body changes over time, and those changes can affect how medicines are cleared, tolerated and combined.
This matters especially when prescriptions, over-the-counter remedies and supplements gradually accumulate. Each may have a reasonable purpose on its own, yet small effects on fluid balance, blood pressure, heart rhythm or steadiness can add up.
Why age can change medication safety
After 60, the kidneys may clear medicines more slowly, blood vessels can become more sensitive to pressure and fluid shifts, and the heart may not relax between beats as easily as it once did. These are normal physiological changes, but they can make the same dose or combination of medicines worth reconsidering.
The video looks at polypharmacy—the use of several medicines at once—and why medication risk is not always a simple matter of one drug causing one side effect. A pain reliever, a blood-pressure medicine, a cholesterol medicine and a supplement can create a different overall picture than any one item alone.
Five common groups that may deserve a review
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac, can be valuable for arthritis and other pain. But regular use may affect kidney function, sodium and water retention, and blood pressure—particularly when other medicines are also involved.
Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole and pantoprazole, are often appropriate, especially for particular stomach conditions. The question explored in the video is whether long-term treatment has continued automatically. Low magnesium is an established concern with prolonged use, while some reported links with heart outcomes come from observational research and do not prove that the medicines cause those outcomes.
The discussion also covers oral decongestants, which can raise blood pressure and heart rate; tricyclic antidepressants, which may contribute to dizziness on standing and falls; and calcium supplements. Calcium can be important for bone health, but the evidence around concentrated supplemental doses and arterial calcification is mixed.
Why a thoughtful review matters
The central issue is not whether these medicines should be avoided by everyone over 60. For many people, they remain appropriate. The more useful question is whether a medicine still fits your current health, kidney function, symptoms and wider medication list.
Dr Deepa outlines a simple framework for discussing this with a doctor or pharmacist, including whether a medicine is still needed, whether the dose remains suitable and whether another approach may be safer. The video also distinguishes routine medication review from symptoms that need urgent medical attention, such as chest pain, severe dizziness, sudden shortness of breath or fainting.
Watch the full video for a calm, practical guide to preparing for a more informed medication conversation—without stopping prescribed treatment on your own.