Which is the best example of polypharmacy Quizlet

Definition

Polypharmacy describes the use of multiple drugs by a single patient to treat one or more conditions. It is most common among elderly patients, ages 65 and over. It is estimated to cause 100,000 deaths per year.

Alternate names

Multiple medications

Causes, incidence and risk factors

Polypharmacy can be caused by a variety of factors including:

• Self-medicating without an accurate understanding of effects and reactions
• Patients being prescribed multiple medications by health professionals who are not aware of other parties involved
• Lack of communication and coordination between physician, nurse, and pharmacist
• An aging population with an increased number of treatment options

Signs and symptoms

Possible symptoms of polypharmacy include:

• Loss of appetite
• Falls
• Confusion
• Weakness
• Tremors
• Dizziness
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Tiredness or decreased alertness

Tests & Treatments

Physicians should be aware of all medications the patient is taking and potential side effects for each. Often, physicians will intervene by simplifying medications and lessening the amount a patient has to take. Taking multiple medications may cause more harm than good for patients, especially as they get older.

Support groups

Several online support groups have been formed:

• http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/aging-discussions/introductions-personal-stories/150215-polypharmacy
• https://www.caring.com/articles/polypharmacy-seniors-avoiding-drug-interactions
• https://www.agingcare.com/articles/polypharmacy-in-elderly-155512.htm

Expectations (prognosis)

The potential for not taking medications as directed increases with the number of medications prescribed.

The risk of falls increases with the number of medications taken, with those taking four or more medications at the greatest risk of falling.

When to call your health care provider

You should call your health care provider if you begin to feel defeated by the medications that have been prescribed. Malnourishment, urinary incontinence, falls and cognitive impairment are also areas of concern.

Prevention

It is best to encourage open communication between the pharmacist, nurse, and physician. Patients should keep a detailed medication history that includes all medications, the schedule of treatment and the reason or indication for each medication. Sometimes, medications can be taken less frequently or at a different time of the day.

References/Citations

Golchin, N., Frank, S. H., Vince, A., Isham, L., & Meropol, S. B. (2015). Polypharmacy in the elderly. Journal of research in pharmacy practice, 4(2), 85.

Hammond, T., & Wilson, A. (2013). Polypharmacy and falls in the elderly: a literature review. Nursing and midwifery studies, 2(2), 171-175.

US Pharm. 2017;42(6):13-14.

Using Five or More Medications Daily

As people age, the risk for developing chronic health conditions becomes more common. A consequence of managing multiple chronic health conditions is the daily use of several different medications. These days, older Americans often see multiple physicians, each prescribing something new or changing dosages, which only increases the complexity of an already-challenging situation. Although no concrete definition of the term exists, polypharmacy has come to mean the use of several (usually five or more) medications on a daily basis, with the possibility that these may not all be clinically necessary. The consequences of polypharmacy can be dangerous and can include adverse drug reactions and unintentional overdose.

Polypharmacy Is Common—and Potentially Dangerous

A complex medical system creates polypharmacy, in which older patients with multiple chronic conditions take several different medications with various dosages, prescribed by many separate physicians and perhaps filled at more than one pharmacy.

Age Is a Contributing Factor

In the United States, people over age 65 years make up 13% of the population, but they use 30% of all prescription medications. In fact, recent studies have shown that the percentage of people in this age group taking five or more medications or supplements increased from 53.4% to 67.1% between 2006 and 2011. When managing several chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and heart failure, the use of multiple medications is often clinically necessary. Polypharmacy becomes problematic when the reason for the medication is unclear, when medication is taken to treat side effects of other drugs, when dosing and timing are complicated, and when medications interact with each other.

Adverse Reactions Can Lead to Hospitalization and Even Death

Polypharmacy increases the risk of adverse reactions to medications. The more drugs, the higher the risk of drug interactions. Research has shown that patients taking five to nine medications have a 50% chance of an adverse drug interaction, increasing to 100% when they are taking 20 or more medications. Health Research Funding reports that polypharmacy accounts for almost 30% of all hospital admissions and is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S.

Medications are only effective in treating a disease when taken as prescribed. Patients who are taking several different medications may forget to take all of them, take them at the wrong time, or take them too often. As a result, the condition can worsen, treatment can fail, drug reactions can occur, and patients can become hospitalized—all of which are potentially life-threatening situations.

What Patients and Caregivers Can Do

Patients and caregivers can look for common symptoms of adverse reactions and drug interactions resulting from polypharmacy. The common signs are a loss of appetite, diarrhea, tiredness or reduced alertness, confusion and hallucinations, falls, weakness and dizziness, skin rashes, depression, anxiety, and excitability. Unfortunately, these signs and symptoms can also be related to the disease itself or be a consequence of aging.

Also, be aware of the medications most commonly associated with adverse effects and drug interactions. The most frequently prescribed medications are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, like ibuprofen), blood pressure medications, antibiotics, and medications used to treat depression.

The most important measure that patients can take to prevent polypharmacy is to ensure that all of their healthcare providers have a complete and up-to-date list of their medications, including dosages and when they should be taken. This list should include OTC medications, supplements, and vitamins. It is excellent practice for patients to carry a list of their medications, updating it whenever there is a change.

Your pharmacist can help! Before buying any OTC product or supplement, be sure to ask your pharmacist if it is safe to take with other medications or with your medical condition. Pharmacists can speak with your physician directly to better understand why a medication is prescribed and to discuss alternate therapies with a lower risk of drug interactionsA complex medical system creates polypharmacy, in which older patients with multiple chronic conditions take several different medications with various dosages, prescribed by many separate physicians and perhaps filled at more than one pharmacy.

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Which is best example of polypharmacy?

Which of the following is the definition of polypharmacy?

Which of the following are causes of polypharmacy?

What are the most common drug interactions associated with polypharmacy?