It’s easy to assume that over-the-counter medications are completely safe—after all, you don’t need a prescription to buy them. But for older adults, that assumption can be dangerously misleading. Every year, thousands of seniors end up in the emergency room due to complications linked to everyday OTC pills. In fact, experts estimate that more than 178,000 hospitalizations annually are tied to adverse drug events involving these medications, with seniors at the highest risk. If you or a loved one regularly reaches for common remedies, it’s worth knowing which ones may quietly pose serious risks. Here are five OTC meds that could land you in the ER.
