7 Signs Your Body May Not Be Handling Medication the Way It Used To

Aging can change how the body processes prescription medications, sometimes causing dizziness, fatigue, confusion, or balance problems. Even medications taken safely for years may need a professional review when new symptoms appear. Burlingham/Shutterstock

That prescription you’ve taken safely for 15 years might not affect your body the same way it did when you first started taking it. Perhaps you’re suddenly feeling dizzy when standing up, struggling to stay awake during the afternoon, or noticing memory problems that weren’t there before. While these changes are sometimes dismissed as normal aging, they could be signs that your medications deserve another look.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), aging can change how the body absorbs, processes, and eliminates medications. Changes in kidney function, liver function, body composition, and other factors can affect how strongly a drug works and how long it stays in your system.