General Practice, by video or in person
Managing an Elderly Parent's Medicines
The signs, the danger signs that mean hospital now, and how to see a doctor by video from anywhere in Nigeria.
Signs to look for
Managing an Elderly Parent's Medicines
- Taking five or more medicines a day, from more than one doctor or pharmacy
- Dizziness, unsteadiness or falls, especially on standing up
- New confusion, drowsiness or forgetfulness
- Sweating, shaking or confusion in someone on diabetes medicines, which can be low blood sugar
- Constipation, a dry mouth, or difficulty passing urine
Many older people take several medicines for long-term conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis and heart disease, often prescribed by different doctors over the years. Taking many medicines together, called polypharmacy, raises the risk of side effects, interactions, double doses, falls and confusion, and the risk grows with each extra medicine. Older bodies also handle many medicines differently, so a dose that suited someone at 50 may be too strong at 75. Some medicines are best avoided or used with great care in older people, including most sleeping tablets and sedatives, some bladder and allergy medicines that can cause confusion, and anti-inflammatory painkillers, which can harm the kidneys and the stomach. Herbal mixtures and supplements bought separately can interact with prescribed medicines too, and what is in a mixture is often unknown. A regular medicines review with one doctor who sees the whole list is the best place to start.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Taking five or more medicines a day, from more than one doctor or pharmacy
- Dizziness, unsteadiness or falls, especially on standing up
- New confusion, drowsiness or forgetfulness
- Sweating, shaking or confusion in someone on diabetes medicines, which can be low blood sugar
- Constipation, a dry mouth, or difficulty passing urine
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding in someone on a blood thinner
- Missed doses, double doses, or old medicines piling up at home
When to See a Doctor
Go to a hospital now, with every medicine packet, if your parent has taken too much of a medicine or someone else's medicine, is very drowsy or hard to wake, is newly confused, is vomiting blood or passing black stools, or, if they take diabetes medicines, is sweating, shaking or confused and does not improve quickly after a sugary drink. If they hit their head while on a blood thinner, they need to be checked at a hospital the same day. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own. Book a medicines review if they take many medicines, see several doctors, have had a fall, or seem more confused or tired than before. A doctor can go through every medicine by video with your parent, with you on the call if they want you there, stop or change what is no longer needed, and send prescriptions to a partner pharmacy.
Treatment options
- A medicines review with one doctor who sees the whole list, regularly and after any hospital stay or fall
- One up-to-date written list of every medicine, including herbal mixtures, supplements and eye drops, kept with your parent and shared with the family
- Using one pharmacy where possible, so the pharmacist can spot duplicates and interactions
- A pill organiser with a section for each time of day, filled weekly by your parent or a carer
- Stopping medicines that are no longer needed, with the doctor, one at a time
- Checks of blood pressure, blood sugar and kidney function, which guide the doses
- Clear instructions on what to do if a dose is missed or your parent is unwell and not eating
Common Questions
How many medicines is too many?
There is no safe number, but the risk of side effects and interactions rises with each extra medicine, and taking five or more a day is usually called polypharmacy. The answer is not to stop medicines at random, but to have a doctor check that each one is still needed and still at the right dose.
Can my parent take herbal mixtures with their medicines?
Tell the doctor about every herbal mixture and supplement. Some interact with blood pressure, diabetes and blood-thinning medicines, and what is in a mixture is often not known. Do not stop prescribed medicines in favour of herbs.
My mother's sleeping tablets help her sleep. Are they safe?
Sleeping tablets and sedatives raise the risk of falls, confusion and drowsiness the next day in older people, which is why guidance on medicines for older adults advises avoiding most of them. Talk to her doctor before stopping, because some need to be reduced slowly.
I live abroad. How can I help with my parent's medicines?
Keep a copy of their medicine list, book them a GP video consult on Mezo and join the call if they want you there. The GP can review every medicine and send prescriptions to a partner pharmacy, where they are paid for on Mezo and collected with a pickup code, or delivered where the pharmacy offers delivery.
Need Help?
A doctor on a video call with your parent, with you or another relative on the call if they want you there, who tells you whether they need to be examined in person.
See a doctor by video, with family on the callIf any of the danger signs on this page applies, go to the nearest hospital now instead.
Find a verified general practice specialist near you.
General Practice in Lagos →General Practice in Abuja →General Practice in Port Harcourt →General Practice in Jos →General Practice in Ibadan →Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Medicines optimisation: the safe and effective use of medicines to enable the best possible outcomes (NG5). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
- Multimorbidity: clinical assessment and management (NG56). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical guideline.
- Medication safety in polypharmacy: technical report. World Health Organization, 2019. Clinical guideline.
- American Geriatrics Society 2023 updated AGS Beers Criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. 2023 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria Update Expert Panel, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 71(7):2052-2081, 2023. Peer-reviewed.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). NHS. Patient information.
- Head injury and concussion. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 30 October 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.