Polypharmacy: the cure becomes the disease

Polypharmacy occurs when a medical regimen includes at least one unnecessary medication. Factors that contribute to this problem include: patient characteristics of increasing age, multiple medical problems, therapy expectations, and decisions to self-treat; physician factors such as excessive presc...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of general internal medicine : JGIM Vol. 8; no. 5; p. 278
Main Authors Colley, C A, Lucas, L M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.05.1993
Subjects
Aged
Drug Interactions
Drug Prescriptions
Drug Therapy - economics
Drug Therapy, Combination
Drug Utilization
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
Humans
Patient Compliance
Patient Education as Topic
Physicians, Family
Practice Patterns, Physicians
Self Medication
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:Polypharmacy occurs when a medical regimen includes at least one unnecessary medication. Factors that contribute to this problem include: patient characteristics of increasing age, multiple medical problems, therapy expectations, and decisions to self-treat; physician factors such as excessive prescribing; and system problems of multiple providers and lack of a coordinating provider. Complications include increased adverse drug reactions and noncompliance, which can lead to increased hospitalization and associated costs. Polypharmacy can be avoided by patient education and sharing the decisions for making the treatment goals and plan. The medication regimen can be simplified by eliminating pharmacologic duplication, decreasing dosing frequency, and regular review of the drug regimen. The goal should be to prescribe the least complex drug regimen for the patient as possible, while considering the medical problems and symptoms and the cost of therapy.
ISSN:0884-8734
DOI:10.1007/BF02600099