Are meds hurting your loved ones? by Jolynn Officer

Today I want to talk a little bit about polypharmacy and how to make sure that your loved one doesn't suffer the effects of it.

The Department of Health and Human Services designates polypharmacy as the principal medication safety issue for seniors. What’s polypharmacy? It is typically defined as the concurrent use of 5 drugs by the same person. Polypharmacy contributes to confusion, falls, incontinence, urinary retention and malaise. These symptoms may cause physicians to prescribe yet another medication. 75% of adverse drug reactions that require hospitalization are due to inadequate monitoring, inappropriate prescribing of medications and lack of patient education and compliance. Seniors are at greater risk because of normal physiological changes such as decreased renal and hepatic function that can change the way meds are processed. Potential for adverse reaction is 6% when 2 medications are taken, 50% with 5 medications and 100% with 8 medications. Multiple medications increase the possibility of drug-drug –disease interactions

So how to help your medication work for you and not against you: If you have several doctors make sure each know all the medications you are taking. Keep a list of all your medications and update every few months. Make sure a trusted friend or relative also has a list of your meds. Use the same pharmacy for all medications. Use your pharmacist as a resource and jot down questions you may have related to your medications. If your pharmacy does not council you when you fill a new prescription, change pharmacies. And lastly, always go over every medication with your physician at each visit. If your have any unusual symptoms, no matter how slight be sure and notify your physician as soon as possible.
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