Polypharmacy in the Elderly: The Need for Concern and Strategies for Its Control
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Date
2015
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Science Domain International Ltd, 3rd floor, 207 Regent Street, London, W1B 3HH, United Kingdom
Abstract
In the last three decades, problems related to aging, multi-morbidity, and polypharmacy have
become a prominent issue in global healthcare. In this study, Polypharmacy is defined as a
concomitant use of five or more drugs simultaneously and/or the administration of more
medications than are clinically indicated, representing unnecessary drug use. The purpose of this
study was to describe and quantify the magnitude of polypharmacy, analyze the factors associated
with this practice among elderly and suggest control measures for its reduction. Other objectives
include creating awareness about the risks of multiple drug use in ageing population and propose
practical recommendations/interventions regarding rational drug use for elderly age groups.
Materials for this study were obtained from a search of the MEDLINE database and International
Pharmaceutical Abstracts to identify articles in people aged 60 years and above. A combination of
the search terms like polypharmacy, multiple medications, polymedicine, elderly, geriatric, and
aged were used. This study found out that polypharmacy is a common problem and a known risk
factor for important morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Many medications are associated with
negative health outcomes, but more research is needed to delineate the consequences associated
with unnecessary drug use in elderly patients. Health care professionals should be aware of the risks associated with polypharmacy and fully evaluate all medications at each patient visit in order
to prevent polypharmacy from occurring.
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Keywords
Polypharmacy;, elderly;, strategies;, concern;, control