Information reviewed: September 22, 2026

You start feeling dizzy when you stand up.

You are sleepier during the day.

Your thinking feels a little foggy.

Your balance is not what it used to be.

You assume:

“Maybe this is just part of getting older.”

Sometimes it may be.

But sometimes a new symptom can be related to a medicine, a change in dose, an interaction between medicines, or a combination of prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and supplements.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that as we age, physical changes can affect how our bodies handle medicines. Even medications that worked well for years may eventually need to be reviewed.

That does not mean your medicine is dangerous.

And it does not mean you should stop taking it.

It means that when something changes, one useful question to ask is:

“Could one of my medicines be contributing to this?”

Here are seven warning signs that may be worth discussing with your doctor or pharmacist.

First: Never Stop a Prescription Medicine on Your Own

This is the most important safety rule in this article.

If you think a medicine is causing a problem, do not suddenly stop it, reduce the dose, double a dose, split a tablet, or change how you take it unless a qualified healthcare professional tells you how to do so.

Some medicines need to be reduced gradually. Stopping others unexpectedly can allow the condition they treat to worsen.

Instead, write down what is happening and contact your doctor or pharmacist.

The goal is medication review—not self-prescribing or self-deprescribing.

1. You Feel Newly Dizzy or Unsteady

Dizziness can have many causes.

Dehydration, blood-pressure changes, inner-ear problems, illness, and other medical conditions can all contribute.

But medicines belong on the list too.

The FDA notes that some medication side effects can appear as dizziness. CDC also recommends that older adults ask a doctor or pharmacist to review medicines that might make them dizzy or sleepy because these effects can contribute to falls.

Pay particular attention to timing.

Ask yourself:

• Did the dizziness begin after starting a new medicine?
• Did it begin after the dose changed?
• Does it happen soon after taking a particular medicine?
• Does it happen when you stand up?
• Have you recently added an over-the-counter product or supplement?

These observations do not prove that a medicine is responsible.

But they give your healthcare professional useful information.

What to do

Write down when the dizziness happens, how long it lasts, and any recent medication changes.

Then bring that information to your doctor or pharmacist.

If dizziness is severe, persistent, associated with fainting, chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness, difficulty speaking, or another potentially serious symptom, seek appropriate medical care promptly rather than assuming it is simply a medication side effect.

2. You Are Much Sleepier Than Before

Feeling tired is common.

But a noticeable change in alertness deserves attention.

Some medicines can cause drowsiness or slow reaction time. Combining certain medicines can make those effects stronger.

Even alcohol can interact with some medications and contribute to sleepiness, poor coordination, memory problems, and falls.

This becomes especially important if you drive, use stairs, cook over a hot stove, or do anything requiring quick reactions.

What to do

Do not simply compensate with extra caffeine and ignore the change.

Ask:

“Could any of my prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, or supplements be contributing to this sleepiness?”

A pharmacist can be an especially useful person to ask.

3. Your Memory or Thinking Suddenly Feels Different

A forgotten name does not automatically mean dementia.

And brain fog does not automatically mean a medication problem.

But FDA specifically notes that some medication side effects can resemble other health problems, including memory difficulties.

That is particularly important after 50 because people may become frightened that every memory change means dementia.

It does not.

Changes in memory and thinking can have many possible causes, and medication effects are one reason a proper medical evaluation matters.

What to do

If confusion begins suddenly or comes with trouble speaking, weakness, or other severe symptoms, seek urgent medical care. Do not wait for a routine medication review.

If you notice a new or worsening change in memory, concentration, alertness, or thinking, make a note of when it began.

Then compare that date with:

• New prescriptions
• Dose increases or decreases
• New OTC medicines
• New sleep aids
• New allergy medicines
• New vitamins or supplements
• Other recent health changes

Do not try to diagnose the cause yourself.

Bring the timeline to your healthcare professional.

For more on distinguishing ordinary forgetfulness from changes that deserve attention, see our Wise Years Living guide:

Worried About Dementia After 50? Start With the Risks You Can Change

4. You Have Fallen—or Nearly Fallen

A fall is not always caused by a loose rug or weak legs.

Medication effects can sometimes be part of the picture.

CDC notes that some medicines can contribute to dizziness or sleepiness, which can increase fall risk.

Other factors—including vision, balance, blood pressure, footwear, muscle weakness, and the home environment—can also contribute.

That is why a fall deserves more than:

“I guess I’m just getting old.”

What to do

If you have fallen or repeatedly feel unsteady, tell your healthcare professional.

Ask specifically:

“Could any of my medicines be increasing my fall risk?”

And include your OTC medicines—not only prescriptions.

You can also use these Wise Years Living guides to address other important fall risks:

Fall Prevention Exercises for Seniors Over 60

Home Fall-Safety Check for Adults Over 60: Fix These 7 Risks First

5. A New Problem Started Soon After a Medicine Changed

Timing can be extremely useful.

Imagine that you have taken several medicines for years without an obvious problem.

Then:

A new prescription is added.

A dose is increased.

An OTC medicine is added for allergies, pain, or sleep.

A new supplement is started.

A few days or weeks later, something feels different.

That timing does not prove the new product caused the symptom.

But it is exactly the kind of information your doctor or pharmacist should know.

The National Institute on Aging recommends keeping track of all prescription medicines, OTC products, vitamins, and dietary supplements and discussing problems or side effects with healthcare professionals.

What to do

When a medication changes, write down:

• Name of the medicine
• Dose
• Why you take it
• Date you started it
• Date the dose changed
• New symptoms you noticed
• When those symptoms began

You are creating a timeline—not making a diagnosis.

That distinction matters.

6. You Take Medicines From Several Places—and No One Has Seen the Whole List

This is an easy problem to miss.

One doctor treats your heart.

Another treats arthritis.

You buy an allergy medicine yourself.

You take a sleep aid occasionally.

Someone recommends a vitamin.

Then you add an herbal supplement.

Each item may seem separate.

Your body does not see separate lists.

Prescription medicines can interact with other prescriptions, OTC products, supplements, foods, and alcohol.

NIA recommends telling healthcare professionals about everything you take, including products you use only occasionally.

It also suggests trying to use the same pharmacy for prescriptions when possible so the pharmacist has a more complete medication record.

What to do

Make one master medication list.

Include:

• Prescription medicines
• Over-the-counter medicines
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Herbal products
• Dietary supplements
• Products you take only occasionally

For each item, record the name, amount, and when you take it.

For prescriptions, also record who prescribed it and why.

Keep the list current.

Bring it to medical appointments.

Show it to your pharmacist.

NIA even recommends keeping a copy with you, such as in your wallet, purse, or phone.

7. You Are Not Sure Why You Still Take a Medicine

This is a surprisingly useful question:

“Why am I taking this?”

Perhaps the medicine was started years ago.

Perhaps another doctor prescribed it.

Perhaps you remember the name but not the reason.

Or perhaps you are taking many medicines and have never reviewed them together.

Taking multiple medicines is sometimes medically necessary. It does not automatically mean that anything is wrong.

But NIA notes that taking many medications can increase the risk of side effects and other unintended problems.

What to do

At your next appointment, do not ask:

“Which medicines should I stop?”

A safer question is:

“Could we review my complete medication list and confirm what each one is for and whether I still need it?”

That invites a professional medication review without encouraging unsafe self-treatment.

The Overlooked Problem: OTC Does Not Mean Risk-Free

“Over the counter” can sound harmless.

But OTC medicines are still medicines.

Products for pain, colds, allergies, sleep, heartburn, and other everyday problems can interact with prescriptions or contain ingredients that overlap with another product.

NIA specifically advises paying attention to active ingredients so you do not accidentally take more than one product containing the same ingredient.

For example, one cold medicine and one pain reliever may contain the same active ingredient.

What to do

Before adding an OTC product, especially if you already take several medicines, ask your pharmacist:

“Is this safe with everything else I take?”

Bring your medication list—or keep it on your phone.

Supplements Count Too

Another common mistake is telling the doctor about prescriptions but forgetting vitamins, herbal products, and dietary supplements.

“Natural” does not automatically mean interaction-free.

The FDA notes that herbal preparations and supplements can alter how other medicines work.

NIA likewise recommends telling healthcare professionals about all vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you use.

So when someone asks:

“What medicines do you take?”

think beyond prescription bottles.

One Pharmacy Can Make Medication Management Easier

When practical, NIA recommends filling prescriptions at the same pharmacy.

Why?

Because having records in one place can help the pharmacist identify a potential problem when a new prescription is added.

That does not mean everyone can or must use one pharmacy.

Insurance, availability, travel, mail-order prescriptions, or specialty medications may make that impossible.

If you use multiple pharmacies, make sure each one has access to an accurate list of what you take.

Your Pharmacist Is an Underused Safety Resource

Many people think of a pharmacist mainly as the person who fills a prescription.

But pharmacists are medication experts.

They can help explain:

• How and when to take a medicine
• Whether it should be taken with food
• Possible interactions
• Common side effects
• Whether driving may be unsafe
• What “as needed” means
• What to do if you miss a dose
• Whether a tablet can safely be split or crushed

NIA specifically encourages patients to ask pharmacists these types of questions.

You do not have to wait until something goes wrong.

Watch: How Medications Can Affect Fall Risk as We Age

In this CDC STEADI video, a geriatric pharmacist explains why medication review becomes more important with age and how some medicines may affect fall risk.

The Wise Years Living 10-Minute Medication Check

Do not change any medicine during this check.

Simply gather information.

Step 1: Put everything in one place

Gather your prescription bottles, OTC medicines, vitamins, and supplements.

Step 2: Compare them with your medication list

Is anything missing?

Is anything on the list that you no longer take?

Step 3: Check the basics

For each item, can you answer:

What is it?

Why do I take it?

How much do I take?

When do I take it?

Step 4: Look for recent changes

Did you recently start, stop, or change the dose of anything under professional guidance?

Did you add an OTC medicine or supplement?

Step 5: Write down new symptoms

Do not decide what caused them.

Just record them.

Step 6: Prepare questions

Write down anything you do not understand.

Step 7: Take the list to a professional

Bring it to your next appointment or ask your pharmacist to review it with you.

Ten minutes of preparation can make your next medication conversation much more useful.

Download: My Medication Review Sheet After 50

To make this easier, Wise Years Living has created a large-print medication review sheet designed for adults over 50 and family caregivers.

Use it to record:

• Medicine or supplement name
• Dose
• Time taken
• Why you take it
• Prescribing professional
• Date started or changed
• New symptoms or concerns
• Questions for your doctor or pharmacist

Download: My Medication Review Sheet After 50 (PDF)

Bring the completed sheet to your doctor or pharmacist.

The worksheet is for organization and communication. It is not a tool for deciding on your own which medicines to stop or change.

7 Questions to Take to Your Doctor or Pharmacist

You do not need to understand pharmacology to ask good questions.

Take these with you:

1. What is each medicine for?

2. Could any of my medicines be contributing to my new symptoms?

3. Could any of my prescriptions interact with my OTC medicines or supplements?

4. Could any of these medicines make me dizzy, sleepy, confused, or unsteady?

5. Is the dose still appropriate for me?

6. Do I still need each medicine?

7. What should I do if I miss a dose or think I am having a side effect?

Write down the answers.

If necessary, bring a family member or trusted person to the appointment.

NIA specifically recommends bringing someone with you if you may need help understanding or remembering medical instructions.

When a Medication Problem May Need Faster Attention

Not every side effect is an emergency.

But do not assume a serious new symptom is “just the medicine.”

Seek appropriate urgent or emergency medical care for symptoms such as severe trouble breathing, loss of consciousness, signs of a severe allergic reaction, severe bleeding, sudden weakness or numbness, new difficulty speaking, severe chest pain, or other symptoms that may represent a medical emergency.

For less urgent but concerning new symptoms, contact your doctor or pharmacist rather than waiting until your next routine visit.

When you call, have your medication list available.

What About Family Caregivers?

If you help a parent, spouse, or another older adult with medications, your role can be extremely valuable.

But do not rely on memory alone.

Maintain one updated list and bring it to appointments.

NIA recommends that caregivers bring information including the names, doses, and schedules of prescriptions, vitamins, herbal remedies, OTC medicines, and dietary supplements to medical appointments.

Also write down the questions you and the person you care for want answered.

The goal is not for the caregiver to become the prescriber.

The goal is to help the healthcare team see the complete picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is taking several medicines automatically dangerous?

No. Some people need several medicines to appropriately manage multiple medical conditions. The concern is not simply the number of medicines. The important issue is whether each medicine is appropriate, whether combinations create problems, and whether the complete regimen is being reviewed by qualified healthcare professionals.

Should I stop a medicine if I feel dizzy or sleepy?

Not on your own. Contact your doctor or pharmacist. Some medicines should not be stopped suddenly, and your symptom may have another cause.

Do vitamins and supplements need to go on my medication list?

Yes. Tell your healthcare professionals about vitamins, dietary supplements, herbal products, and OTC medicines as well as prescriptions.

Can my pharmacist review my medicines?

Pharmacists can answer medication questions and help identify potential side effects, interactions, and medication-management concerns. Your doctor or other prescribing professional remains important for decisions about changing prescription treatment.

Should I use one pharmacy?

When practical, using one pharmacy can help keep prescription records together and make it easier to identify possible interactions. If you use more than one pharmacy, provide each pharmacy with an accurate medication list.

Can a medicine I have taken for years suddenly become a problem?

It is possible for medication needs or effects to change as you age or as your health and other medications change. FDA and NIA both advise continued medication review rather than assuming a long-standing medicine never needs reassessment.

Is a new memory problem always caused by medication?

No. Memory and thinking changes have many possible causes. Medication effects are only one possibility. New or worsening cognitive changes deserve appropriate medical evaluation.

Start With One Simple Action Today

You do not need to memorize every possible drug interaction.

You do not need to search the internet for every side effect.

And you should not try to redesign your medication regimen yourself.

Do this instead:

Make one accurate list of everything you take.

Prescriptions.

OTC medicines.

Vitamins.

Supplements.

Then add one more piece of information:

Any new symptom or change you have noticed.

Take that list to your doctor or pharmacist and ask:

“Could we review these together?”

That simple question can turn medication safety from guesswork into a conversation with someone qualified to help.

The Most Important Thing to Remember

Medicines can improve health, control symptoms, prevent complications, and save lives.

This article is not a warning against medication.

It is a reminder that medication management should change as your health changes.

Do not automatically blame every new symptom on aging.

Do not automatically blame every new symptom on medicine either.

And most importantly:

Do not change a prescription medicine on your own.

Notice changes.

Keep an accurate list.

Ask questions.

Use your pharmacist.

Talk with your healthcare professional.

Good medication management is not about taking fewer medicines at any cost. It is about taking the medicines you need as safely and effectively as possible.

Sources

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 5 Medication Safety Tips for Older Adults

National Institute on Aging (NIA) — Taking Medicines Safely as You Age

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — STEADI Pharmacy Care

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, medication review, or treatment. Never start, stop, reduce, increase, split, crush, or otherwise change a prescription medicine without appropriate guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, seek emergency medical care.