The term is used when too many forms of medication are used by a patient, when more drugs are prescribed than is clinically warranted, or even when all prescribed medications are clinically indicated but there are too many pills to take (pill burden). Furthermore, a portion of the treatments may not be evidence-based. The most common results of polypharmacy are increased adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions. Polypharmacy is most common in the elderly but is also widespread in the general population.
The use of two or more drugs during the course of treatment for a particular illness.
The practice of prescribing several drugs to be taken at the same time.
Act of prescribing or administering more than one drug to a patient. The possibility of drug interaction must be considered in these cases.
Concurrent use of multiple drugs, both with and without the knowledge of the medical team, giving rise to increased risk for drug to drug interaction.
The administration of many drugs at the same time. Polypharmacy can create problems, particularly if more than one doctor is treating a person without realizing other medications have been prescribed. Polypharmacy is a particular concern in older people who take many drugs and are known to experience reactions and interactions among the medications. It has been reported that 10 percent of all hospital admissions are directly related to drug reactions when a person is taking more than one medication.
Treatment of a patient with more than one type of medicine.
A term applied to the administration of too 4 many drugs to one person. Sometimes combinations of drugs are an effective means of treatment, reducing the risk of drug resistance. Polypharmacy, however, worsens the risk of drug interactions and of adverse effects, especially in the elderly.
Concurrent use of a large number of drugs. It increases the likelihood of unwanted side effects and adverse drug-to-drug interactions.
The act of prescribing multiple medications to an individual concurrently is known as polypharmacy. Using a combination of drugs can sometimes be more beneficial than using just one and might decrease the chances of drug resistance. However, polypharmacy can elevate the potential for drug interactions, subsequently increasing the risk of negative side effects.