Which population has a higher risk of overdose due to polypharmacy?

The population at higher risk of overdose due to polypharmacy is older adults. This risk arises from several factors commonly associated with aging. Older adults often have multiple chronic health conditions, leading to the prescription of various medications to manage these issues. The physiological changes that occur with aging can also affect how medications are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated in the body, which increases the potential for drug interactions and adverse effects.

Additionally, older adults may have decreased cognitive functioning or memory issues, which can result in improper medication management. This combined with a higher likelihood of receiving prescriptions from multiple healthcare providers without adequate coordination increases their risk of experiencing complications from polypharmacy, including overdose.

In contrast, the other populations—children, middle-aged adults, and teenagers—while they may also be at risk for adverse effects from medications, typically do not experience the same level of polypharmacy-related risks as older adults.