“Poly-pharmacy”- Research the implications of poly-pharmacy in the elderly. How can this be avoided? What needs to be done to safely administer medication to older adults and insure compliance?
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Introduction:
Poly-pharmacy refers to the concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient. Poly-pharmacy is a common practice, especially amongst older adults who usually have multiple comorbidities. While multiple medications may improve the patient’s health, poly-pharmacy is associated with increased risks such as drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, and decreased compliance. Thus, research examining the implications of poly-pharmacy in older adults is crucial in ensuring their safety and overall health.
Implications of Poly-pharmacy in the Elderly:
Poly-pharmacy in older adults can result in various issues, such as increased healthcare costs, decreased adherence to medication, drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, and cognitive impairment. Older adults have a high risk of drug interactions as they may have decreased renal and hepatic functions, which affect drug metabolism and excretion. Furthermore, older adults often take multiple medications for different comorbidities, which increases the risk of drug interactions.
Avoiding Poly-pharmacy:
Several strategies can be implemented to avoid poly-pharmacy in older adults. Firstly, deprescribing or reducing the number of medications prescribed to older adults can minimize the risk of adverse drug reactions and drug interactions. Additionally, following evidence-based medication practices, reducing self-prescription, and increasing interdisciplinary collaboration between health care professionals can minimize poly-pharmacy.
Safely Administering Medication to Older Adults:
To safely administer medication to older adults and ensure compliance, several measures need to be taken. Firstly, healthcare professionals should undertake medication reviews to evaluate the pharmacotherapy and to identify potential drug interactions. Additionally, healthcare professionals should provide clear instructions for medication administration and simplify medication regimens to improve patient adherence. Furthermore, frequent monitoring for adverse drug reactions and modifications to medication regimens can minimize the risks associated with medication use.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, poly-pharmacy is associated with several risks in older adults, including drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, and decreased medication adherence. Several strategies such as medication reviews, interdisciplinary collaboration, and simplifying medication regimens can be implemented to minimize the harm caused by poly-pharmacy. Overall, preventing poly-pharmacy in older adults should be a critical aspect of medication management to ensure patient safety and optimal health outcomes.
