Are most people over 50 on some kind of medication?

Anonymous
My eye doctor seemed surprised that I take no medications. I'm only 52, for heavens sake! Is this unusual?
Anonymous
No, not unusual at all. I believe this same question was posted a little while back.
Anonymous
My DH and I don't take any either, and we are 50. Yes, various folks in health care seem very surprised by this.
Anonymous
I think it is a little unusual. I am 36 and take 5-6 medications for a chronic illness, and my DH is really pretty healthy but takes two.
Anonymous
DH and I both 61-- don't take any meds and hope never to have to take them!
Anonymous
I'm 55 and don't take anything. I rarely even take Tylenol. DH has a whole pill box of stuff, although some are supplements rather than prescriptions.
Anonymous
Most people in DC are on some kind of medicine...
Anonymous
I'm 50 and still on birth control. Hopefully in the next few years, I can give that up
Anonymous
No, but some of us younger than 50 are on daily meds, and it's NOT fun.
I have thyroid replacement hormones to take every morning. Also birth control for endometriosis.
Anonymous
I'm 57 and I don't take any medications. A couple of years ago prior to a surgery, during the presurgical consult, the nurse told me that she rarely sees anyone over 50 who doesn't take medication and/or have health problems.
Anonymous
Wasn't this posted before?
Anonymous
Yes, it's common. And this is why the whole "pre-existing condition" issue with health insurance is a big problem. At some point in your life, you have a very high chance of having some kind of pre-existing condition.

https://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/health/rx_midlife_plus.pdf

- The vast majority of Americans age 50+ (85%) say they have taken a prescription drug in the past five years, and three-fourths (76%) say they are currently taking at least one prescription drug on a regular basis.
- Women (79%) are somewhat more likely to say they are taking a prescription drug than men (71%).
- Americans age 65+ (87%) are even more likely to say they take a prescription drug on a regular basis than those between the ages of 50-64 years (67%).
- Those who say they are currently taking prescription drugs regularly say they take on average four different prescriptions drugs daily.
Anonymous
I'm 53. All I take are vitamin supplements and low-dose aspirin.
Anonymous
59 and I only take supplements. My dentist recently was surprised. What astounds me most is that so many people would rather take meds than work on their problem - such as folks who could get their bp down through diet and exercise but would rather take a pill.
Anonymous
It's better to have a health condition controlled by medication than it is to avoid going to the doctor and getting appropriate treatment.

Diet/exercise is not always enough to control things like BP and type II diabetes.
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