It’s no secret that we are living longer. Unfortunately, we are not necessarily living healthier. An ever-growing percentage of the population is managing one or more medical conditions, which are, in turn, managed by one or more medicines.
While such medicines can help maintain health and prevent further illness, taking combinations of drugs means that you could be at risk for unwanted drug interactions. Polypharmacy presents growing risks among the elderly in the US.
Polypharmacy is defined as the concurrent use of many different medications by the same person. This can result in a gradual accumulation of side effects. Problems may be increased by taking:
- Dosages that are too high
- Medications that are incorrectly prescribed or filled
- Medications that interact with or duplicate the actions of other medications
- Herbal supplements/remedies that interact with prescription medication
Polypharmacy can result in adverse drug events, complicating therapy, increasing cost, and presenting a challenge for healthcare agencies. Unfortunately, the symptoms caused by polypharmacy can be confused with the normal aging process, these include:
- Tiredness, sleepiness, or decreased alertness
- Constipation
,
diarrhea
, or
incontinence
- Loss of appetite
- Confusion
- Falls
- Depression
or lack of interest in your usual activities
- Weakness
- Tremors
- Visual or auditory hallucinations
- Anxiety
or excitability
- Dizziness
- Decreased sexual behavior
While it’s true that the elderly may be at the highest risk for polypharmacy because they are most likely to be taking multiple medications, it’s also true that any patient with multiple medical conditions or being treated by multiple physicians may be at risk.
To assess your risk for harm from polypharmacy, answer these 10 questions. If you answer yes to any of the following, you should see your physician or your pharmacist and ask for a complete medication review:
- Do you take five or more prescription medications?
- Do you take herbs, vitamins, other dietary supplements, or over-the-counter medications?
- Do you get your prescription filled at more than one pharmacy?
- Is more than one doctor prescribing you medications?
- Do you take your medications more than once a day?
- Do you have trouble opening your medication bottles?
- Do you have poor eyesight or hearing?
- Do you live alone?
- Do you have a hard time remembering to take your medications?
The good news is there are things you can do to help reduce your risk of polypharmacy. Here are some tips to help you:
- Make a list of every medication you are taking, including supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins, and over-the-counter drugs; update it after every doctor’s visit.
- Carry your medication list with you everywhere; bring it and your pill bottles along when you see the doctor.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist to check your list for possible interactions.
- If you have more that one doctor, make sure each one knows what the other is prescribing.
- Ask your primary doctor if you need to take all the medications on the list, or if you can reduce the dosages.
- Always read labels; they may help you avoid a possible drug interaction.
- Always get your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy.
- Learn the names of your medications and why you take them.
- Avoid combination products like cold remedies; ask for help buying only the specific medication that treats the symptoms you are experiencing.
- Never take a new drug without discussing side effects and interactions with your doctor, your pharmacist, or both.
Remember, if you feel that you are taking too many drugs, or if you are confused about the number or quantity you are taking, talk to your doctor. Polypharmacy doesn't need to happen. There are many ways that you and your healthcare providers can work together to reduce or avoid the risks of taking multiple medications.
