Problem. Aging is usually associated with slowly decreasing health status. This is accompanied by the need to take increasing numbers of pharmaceutical agents. While the goal is to optimize health, the actual result may be harmful.
Sample. From a random sample of 250 homeowners, we selected 22 individuals for visitation and extensive study. This sample (mean age=67.2 ± 4.6 years) provided the basis for this pilot study.
Findings. Pharmaceutical agents include prescription drugs as well as over the counter (OTC) preparations. The latter category includes remedies for specific problems (for example, pain) as well as products to prevent problems (for example, herbs and vitamin supplements). The mean number of products each person ingested each day was 12.1 ± 6.3. The range was 2 to 25. The mean number of prescription drugs was 4.6 ± 1.9. The range of non-prescription products taken daily was 0 to 22. These people spent an average of $203 ± 145 each month on al of their pharmaceutical products. The mean cost for prescription drugs alone was $102 ± 55.
Implications. First order drug interactions of prescription drugs are imprecisely understood. Higher order interactions are even less well understood. Interactions among OTC and herbal preparations are essentially unknown. Seniors are at great potential risk for serious complications secondary to their pharmaceutical requirements. Individuals must be well educated about drug interactions. Prescribers must communicate with each other to avoid inadvertant adverse reactions as a result of polypharmacy.
Learning Objectives: 1. Recognize the prevalence of polypharmacy 2. Understand the dangers associated with polypharmacy 3. Reduce the incidence of polypharmacy
Keywords: Drug Use, Prescription Drug Use Patterns
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.