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More than 4 out of 10 senior citizens take five or more prescription medications — a phenomenon known as polypharmacy, research shows .

This practice increases the risk of addiction and medication errors, like taking the wrong dosage or skipping doses altogether. Potential consequences include hospitalization, mental impairment and painful falls. 3

A new report warns of another possible result — bacterial infections that are more difficult to treat.

A team from the University of South Australia tested nine medications common in nursing homes, finding that two common painkillers help bacteria become more resistant to antibiotics — especially when taken together.

“Antibiotics have long been vital in treating infectious diseases, but their widespread ove

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