Abstract

SANTOS, Mónica  and  ALMEIDA, Armando. Polypharmacy in old age. Rev. Enf. Ref. [online]. 2010, vol.serIII, n.2, pp.149-162. ISSN 0874-0283.

The gradual aging of population and increased prevalence of chronic conditions lead to the emergence of guidelines that require polypharmacy and use of drugs deemed potentially inappropriate for older people (although appropriate for the pathologies diagnosed). Aim: To identify the best evidence about polypharmacy in older people Methodology: Literature review, using the key words/terms: polymedication, polypharmacy, medication, inappropriate, prescri-ption, elderly and older in the databases “The Cochrane Library”, “Science Direct”, “CINAHL” and “Up to date”, using the selection criteria of relevance, methodology and publication date. Findings: It appears that older people, in addition to having physiological changes that increase the negative effects of drugs, also use them more and often resort to multiple prescribers, factors influencing adherence to therapy. The risk of interaction increases exponentially with the number of drugs prescribed and institutionalized older people are at increased risk. It is estimated that each year about 140,000 deaths occur for these reasons, and drug interactions cause 50% of hospital emergencies. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals involved in individual citizens’ health projects are in position to consider/suggest which drugs these individuals should start, continue and/or discontinue taking, in order to provide the maximum benefit with less risk and cost.

Keywords : polypharmacy; drug prescriptions; aged.

        · abstract in Portuguese | Spanish     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )