DRUG SAFETY

Four drugs, coumadin, antiplatelet agents like aspirin or plavix, diabetic drugs including insulin cause a huge number of ER visits for people over 65.  These drugs are vital but commonly cause problems because of a narrow therapeutic index -- meaning the line between a safe dose and bad effects is very thin.  Always, always, tell any doctor prescribing you something new that you're on these drugs so they can make allowances and if necessary arrange extra monitoring.