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Polypharmancy I polled 17 of 25 seniors who were visiting a local community center. The community center serves as a recreational facility for the elderly during
Submitted by crw1 on April 12, 2008
Category: Science
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I polled 17 of 25 seniors who were visiting a local community center. The community center serves as a recreational facility for the elderly during the weekdays. Due to hippa and other confidentiality concerns I will not provide the name of the center or of the individuals I interviewed. Of the 17 interviewees eleven were female and six were male. The remaining eight either refused to be interviewed or was not capable of answering my questions. The interview criterion was 60 years old or older, taking four or more prescription medications. Use of OTC medications (vitamins, herbals, Tylenol, etc...) was optional
Survey Questions
1. Do you take four or more prescription medications?
2. Do you take herbs, vitamins, other dietary supplements, or over-the-counter medications?
3. Do you get your prescription filled at more than one pharmacy?
4. Is more than one doctor prescribing you medications?
5. Do you take your medications more than once a day?
6. Do you have trouble opening your medication bottles?
7. Do you have poor eyesight or hearing?
8. Do you live alone?
9. Do you have a hard time remembering to take your medications?
What is polypharmacy?
Polypharmacy is defined as the concurrent use of many different medications by the same person; as well as utilizing other medications to treat adverse reactions. 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 actions, complicating therapy, increasing cost, and presents a challenge for healthcare providers. Unfortunately, the symptoms caused by polypharmacy...
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