Over-the-counter medications in the elderly are easy to overlook. A sleeping tablet from the pharmacy, a cold remedy, a painkiller from the supermarket or a herbal supplement sent by a relative can all feel harmless. No prescription is needed, after all. However, for older adults who already take several medicines, these everyday products can cause real problems.
This guide explains why older adults are more sensitive to pharmacy medicines, which ones need extra care, and how families can keep their parents safe.
Why Over-the-Counter Medications in the Elderly Carry Higher Risks
As we age, the liver and kidneys often clear medicines more slowly. As a result, a medicine may stay in the body longer and have a stronger effect. Older adults are also more likely to have several health conditions and to take several prescribed medicines. Each new product adds another chance of a side effect or interaction.
For this reason, geriatric specialists use the Beers Criteria from the American Geriatrics Society. This is a widely used list of medicines that may carry more risk than benefit for older adults. Several common pharmacy products, including some drowsy antihistamines, appear on it. Doctors in the UK and Europe use a similar tool called the STOPP/START criteria.
Specialists at the first Emirates Geriatrics Society conference in 2026 raised another concern. Pharmacy medicines are often missing from medical records. Patients may not think to mention them, because they seem “safe” or are only taken now and then. So the doctor may never know they are part of the picture.
Common Pharmacy Medicines to Use With Care
This is general information only. Always ask your parent’s pharmacist or doctor before they start any new medicine.
Sleep aids and drowsy antihistamines
Some allergy and “night-time” products contain antihistamines that cause drowsiness. In older adults, they may lead to confusion, unsteadiness, falls, a dry mouth and difficulty passing urine. If your parent is struggling to sleep, it is better to ask the doctor why, rather than treating it alone.
Painkillers
Anti-inflammatory painkillers can affect the stomach, kidneys and blood pressure in some people. Also, many products contain paracetamol, so taking more than one product at a time can lead to taking too much by accident. Check the active ingredients on every label.
Cough, cold and allergy remedies
“Multi-symptom” products often combine several medicines in one. Some contain decongestants, which may raise blood pressure or heart rate. Others may cause drowsiness. A pharmacist can help choose a safer option.
At the first conference of the Emirates Geriatrics Society, part of the Emirates Medical Association, in October 2026, specialists reminded doctors and pharmacists that cough syrups containing dextromethorphan are among the pharmacy medicines most often linked to problems in older adults. Others included sedating antihistamines, painkillers, anti-diarrhoea medicines and decongestants. Reported harms from these products ranged from stomach bleeding and kidney problems to changes in heart rhythm, hospital admission and, in rare cases, death. So even a simple cough syrup is worth discussing with your parent’s treating physician or pharmacist first.
Vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies
Natural does not always mean safe. Some supplements and herbal products can interact with prescribed medicines, including blood thinners. Families sometimes bring remedies from home countries, too. Always tell the doctor about everything your parent takes.
Why Pharmacy Purchases Are Often Missed
Doctors often ask, “Are you taking any other medicines?” Many older adults simply answer “no”. They may not count the cream, the cough syrup, the vitamin or the tablet they take only when they cannot sleep.
In UAE households, medicines may also come from many directions. A helper may buy something from the pharmacy. A relative abroad may send a favourite remedy. A son and a daughter may each bring something different. As a result, nobody has the full picture.
That is why the way you ask matters. Instead of “any other medicines?”, ask by name: “Do you take any sleeping tablets, cold or allergy tablets, painkillers, vitamins or herbal products?”
Medication Reconciliation and Checking for Interactions
At Enayati, every patient’s care begins with medication reconciliation. This means building one complete list of everything a person takes, including:
- Prescribed medicines from every doctor
- Pharmacy and supermarket medicines
- Vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies
- Occasional “as needed” medicines kept in a drawer
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) recommends keeping exactly this kind of list, including pharmacy medicines and supplements, and bringing it to every appointment.
Our nurses then check the list for interactions using trusted references such as the British National Formulary (BNF) and Medscape. We also recommend the free Medscape app to families. Its drug interaction checker shows which medicines may interact and how. Sometimes the answer is simply to take two medicines at different times. Medscape is designed for professionals, so use it as a starting point, then confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.
Managing Over-the-Counter Medications in the Elderly at Home
- Keep one up-to-date list. Include every medicine, vitamin and supplement, with the dose and time.
- Use one pharmacy where possible. The pharmacist can then spot duplicates and interactions.
- Ask before buying. Tell the pharmacist your parent’s age, conditions and current medicines. You can also ask whether a product is on the Beers Criteria.
- Read the label carefully. Check the active ingredients. Use a magnifying glass if the print is small.
- Do not double up. Avoid taking two products with the same ingredient.
- Bring everything to appointments. A bag of all medicines is the clearest way to show the doctor.
- Watch for changes. New drowsiness, confusion, falls or stomach upset may be a side effect.
Our home nursing team in Dubai and Sharjah carries out medication reconciliation for every patient. You can read how one patient found the cause of his symptoms in our article on how to manage medications in home care like a CEO.
FAQ: Over-the-Counter Medications in the Elderly
Are over-the-counter medications safe for the elderly?
Many are safe when used correctly. However, older adults are more sensitive to side effects and more likely to take other medicines that could interact. Always ask a pharmacist or doctor before your parent starts any new product, even one sold without a prescription.
Which pharmacy medicines should older adults be careful with?
Drowsy antihistamines and sleep aids, anti-inflammatory painkillers, multi-symptom cold and flu products, and some herbal supplements need extra care. Your pharmacist can suggest safer choices based on your parent’s health and current medicines.
Can my parent take sleeping tablets from the pharmacy?
Please check with their doctor first. Some sleep aids can cause confusion, unsteadiness and falls in older adults. Poor sleep may also have a cause that can be treated, such as pain, low mood or a medicine side effect.
How can I check for drug interactions at home?
The free Medscape app includes a drug interaction checker. Enter every medicine your parent takes, including pharmacy items and supplements. Then discuss any results with your pharmacist or doctor before changing anything.
Should I tell the doctor about vitamins and herbal remedies?
Yes, always. Some supplements and herbal products can interact with prescribed medicines. Include them on your parent’s medicine list and bring it to every appointment.
Over-the-counter medications in the elderly are easy to miss in home care, but a complete list and a few careful questions can prevent many problems. Small steps make a real difference to your parent’s safety.
Important: This article shares general information and a real-life example. It is not medical advice. If anything here raises a question about your parent’s medicines, please discuss it with their treating physician. Do not stop or change any medicine until you have spoken with the treating physician.
If you would like help reviewing your parent’s medicines, please WhatsApp us on +971 55 352 0186 to speak to a nurse.
