Polypharmacy in Elderly Patients
Describe polypharmacy in the elderly patient and the problems polypharmacy can cause in the elderly. Delineate in detail at least three problems polypharmacy can cause. Provide evidence-based information to support your answers.
Polypharmacy in the Elderly and Associated Problems
Polypharmacy is generally defined as the use of five or more medications by a patient, and it is common in elderly populations due to the high prevalence of multiple chronic conditions. While polypharmacy can be necessary to manage complex health issues, it often leads to several problems that compromise the health of elderly patients.
Problems Caused by Polypharmacy
1. Increased Risk of Drug Interactions
- Description: Elderly patients are at higher risk of drug-drug interactions due to age-related changes in pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) and the large number of medications prescribed. These interactions can lead to therapeutic failures, toxicity, or adverse reactions.
- Evidence: Studies show that polypharmacy significantly increases the likelihood of harmful drug interactions in older adults. A study by Schaefer et al. (2018)…
Polypharmacy in the Elderly and Associated Problems
Polypharmacy is generally defined as the use of five or more medications by a patient, and it is common in elderly populations due to the high prevalence of multiple chronic conditions. While polypharmacy can be necessary to manage complex health issues, it often leads to several problems that compromise the health of elderly patients.
Problems Caused by Polypharmacy
1. Increased Risk of Drug Interactions
- Description: Elderly patients are at higher risk of drug-drug interactions due to age-related changes in pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) and the large number of medications prescribed. These interactions can lead to therapeutic failures, toxicity, or adverse reactions.
- Evidence: Studies show that polypharmacy significantly increases the likelihood of harmful drug interactions in older adults. A study by Schaefer et al. (2018)…
Polypharmacy in the Elderly and Associated Problems
Polypharmacy is generally defined as the use of five or more medications by a patient, and it is common in elderly populations due to the high prevalence of multiple chronic conditions. While polypharmacy can be necessary to manage complex health issues, it often leads to several problems that compromise the health of elderly patients.
