Medication Interaction Checker Guide
Older adults often take multiple medications — the average Medicare beneficiary takes 4–5 prescriptions. Certain drug combinations carry well-documented risks of bleeding, falls, heart arrhythmia, or organ damage. This guide covers the most clinically significant interactions and high-alert drug classes for seniors.
Select two drug classes to check for known interactions. Then review the full high-risk combinations table below.
High-Risk Combinations in Older Adults
| Drug A | Drug B | Risk | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warfarin | Aspirin / NSAIDs | Major bleeding risk | Major |
| Warfarin | SSRIs | Increased INR, bleeding | Major |
| Warfarin | Antibiotics (fluoroquinolones) | Warfarin potentiation | Major |
| Opioids | Benzodiazepines | Respiratory depression, death | Major |
| Opioids | Antipsychotics | Additive CNS/respiratory depression | Major |
| Digoxin | Diuretics | Hypokalemia → digoxin toxicity | Major |
| SSRIs | NSAIDs | GI bleeding risk ×3–15 | Major |
| ACE inhibitors | Diuretics + NSAIDs | Acute kidney injury triad | Major |
| Antipsychotics | Antibiotics (azithromycin/fluoroquinolones) | QT prolongation → arrhythmia | Major |
| Beta-blockers | Antipsychotics | Hypotension, bradycardia | Moderate |
| Statins | Antibiotics (fluoroquinolones) | Myopathy risk | Moderate |
| Benzodiazepines | Antipsychotics | Sedation, falls | Moderate |
| Diuretics | ACE inhibitors | Hypotension, electrolyte loss | Moderate |
| Beta-blockers | Digoxin | Bradycardia, heart block | Moderate |
Action: If you take any combination listed above, bring a complete medication list (including OTC drugs and supplements) to your next pharmacy or physician visit. Ask specifically about these pairs. Never stop a prescription without medical guidance.