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Polypharmacy in psychiatry: three case studies and methods for prevention
R B Stewart1, K C Yedinak, M R Ware
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|April 1, 1992
Summary
Reducing the number of medications for elderly psychiatric patients (polypharmacy) improved cognitive and physical function. This highlights the importance of medication review to prevent adverse drug events in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Pharmacy
Background:
- Polypharmacy, the concurrent use of multiple medications, is a significant concern in elderly psychiatric patients.
- Overprescribing can lead to decreased cognitive and physical functioning, increasing the risk of adverse drug events.
Observation:
- A case series involving three elderly psychiatric patients admitted between January and March 1990 illustrated the problems associated with polypharmacy.
- These patients were taking an excessive number of medications, believed to be contributing to their functional decline.
Findings:
- Physician and pharmacist medication regimen reviews identified and discontinued unnecessary or harmful drugs.
- All patients were discharged with a reduced medication load and demonstrated improved cognitive and/or physical function.
Implications:
- Reducing polypharmacy in the elderly psychiatric population can significantly decrease adverse drug reactions.
- Implementing practical strategies for medication review and deprescribing is crucial for improving patient outcomes and care quality in older adults.