Polypharmacy

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Polypharmacy is defined as "the use of multiple drugs administered to the same patient, most commonly seen in elderly patients. It includes also the administration of excessive medication."[1] Polypharmacy hinders patient compliance with medications and may increase adverse drug reactions[2].

Taking 4 or more prescriptions daily is more common among low income patients according to one survey.[3] This occurs in 32% of patients with household income below $25,000; whereas this occurs in 12% of those with household income above $75,000.

Combining multiple medications into a single 'polypill' may help patients.[4]

"Three drugs at half standard dose in combination" may be better than one drug at standard dose according to a systematic review.[5]

References

  1. ↑ National Library of Medicine. Polypharmacy. Retrieved on 2007-12-15.
  2. ↑ Muir AJ, Sanders LL, Wilkinson WE, Schmader K (2001). "Reducing medication regimen complexity: a controlled trial". J Gen Intern Med 16 (2): 77–82. DOI:10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016002077.x. PMID 11251757. Full text at PubMed Central
  3. ↑ USA Today/Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health Survey: the public on prescription drugs and pharmaceutical companies - kaiser family foundation. Retrieved March 10, 2008, from http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/pomr030408pkg.cfm.
  4. ↑ Effects of a polypill (Polycap) on risk factors in middle-aged individuals without cardiovascular disease (TIPS): a phase II, double-blind, randomised trial. The Lancet In Press, Corrected Proof. DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60611-5. ISSN 0140-6736. Retrieved on 2009-03-31.
  5. ↑ Law MR, Morris JK, Wald NJ (2009). Use of blood pressure lowering drugs in the prevention of cardiovascular disease: meta-analysis of 147 randomised trials in the context of expectations from prospective epidemiological studies. BMJ 338: b1665. PMID 19454737. PMC 2684577.
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