Description: All topics in Ambulatory Clinical Pharmacy
Polypharmacy, or the use of multiple medications to treat a patient, has negative connotations. When it comes to medications more doesn’t mean better. What is polypharmacy? The definition of polypharmacy varies and as concluded by What is polypharmacy? A systematic review of definitions article, there is no consensus definition for polypharmacy.
Polypharmacy is more common in patients with multiple co-morbidities and is associated with the use of multiple medicines. Polypharmacy refers to the use of many medications, commonly considered the use of five or more medications. Since polypharmacy is a consequence of having several underlying medical conditions, it is much more common in elderly patients. An estimated 30 to 40 percent of elderly patients take five or more medications.
Taking multiple medications, whether prescription drugs, OTC treatments, herbal or dietary supplements; is a burden for patients and it can be dangerous. Dangers such as unwanted drug interactions and decrease drug adherence to essential medicines.