Care of Elderly

What is polypharmacy?

• use of multiple medications by one individual

Consequences of polypharmacy?

• adverse drug effects

• medication errors

• drug interactions

• non-adherence

• risk of falls and frailty 

• cognitive impairment

• hospital admissions

• healthcare costs

What is deprescribing?

• complex process which require review and planning to taper, stop, discontinue or withdraw medications that are no longer appropriate, beneficial or wanted 

Benefits of deprescribing?

• reduces harm posed by multiple medications and interactions 

• focuses on effective treatments and avoids unnecessary interventions 

• enhances quality of life for patients 

• simplifies and reduction medication burden

• improves adherence 

• reduces side effects 

• patient centered - aligns care with patient goals, particularly in frailty or end of life care 

• cost effective - lowers healthcare costs by reducing unnecessary medications