12polypharmacy0906

PATIENT EDUCATION
LISA HATHAWAY, RN, BSN • Clinical Editor • LPN2006 • Ambler, Pa. What is polypharmacy?
• taking medications more than once a day Polypharmacy is the term used to describe taking more • having trouble opening medicine bottles than one medication. But it can also mean taking pre- scribed or unprescribed medications that duplicate or interact with each other, usually causing harmful effects.
This can include taking too much or too little of a drug, • putting medications in unmarked containers.
taking medications that are incorrectly prescribed or filled,and using over-the-counter or herbal remedies that inter- What can I do to prevent polypharmacy
and adverse drug events?
If you start taking a medication and experience side
Am I at risk for polypharmacy?
effects, make an appointment to see your health care If you’re age 65 or older, have multiple health problems, provider for an evaluation. The two of you should explore and take more than two medications, you may be at risk alternatives to medication to solve the problem whenever for polypharmacy. Because of changes in your body possible. For example, some drugs may cause dizziness caused by aging, you may respond differently—even when you first take them, but this reaction subsides once unpredictably—to some medications than you did when you’ve been on the medication for a few weeks. Your you were younger. Also, each new medication added to health care provider may instruct you to get up slowly from your regimen increases your risk for polypharmacy, espe- a seated or lying position or take the medication with food, cially if you’re taking high doses of your medications and or he may recommend another nondrug therapy until this you’re taking them for a long period of time.
effect subsides. If the reaction is severe, you could beswitched to another medication that doesn’t have the Are there particular situations that can
same effect. But prescribing another medication to com- put me at more risk?
bat dizziness shouldn’t be the first action taken.
When you visit your health care provider for any reason, Certain medications have been labeled as “high alert” bring all your medications or a list of them. Make sure you medications. These medications are more likely to cause tell you health care provider about all the medications interactions or adverse drug events. They include: you’re taking. This includes over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies. It’s important to mention vitamins or herbal remedies you’re taking. They can interact with your For example, suppose you’re taking warfarin (Coumadin) prescribed by your health care provider to thin your blood. Then, on your own, you begin taking St. John’s wort for some mild depression. The two can interact, and as a result, the warfarin may not be as effective as it should be.
Always tell your health care provider of any new symp- toms at your visits. Writing them down may help you re- member to mention them. These symptoms could be bad reactions to your medications, either from one medication or an interaction between two or more. Also, make sure you know why you’re taking every drug that’s been pre- scribed. If you don’t know, ask your health care provider.
Many effective drugs are on the market. Communicating well with your health care provider and keeping informed Other potentially “risky” situations with medications include: about your care can go a long way toward making sure • using two or more medications to treat the same disor- the drugs you’re taking are doing the job they’re supposed • taking five or more prescribed medications• taking dietary supplements, vitamins, or over-the- This patient-education guide has been adapted for the 5th-grade level using the Flesch- Kincaid and SMOG formulas. It may be photocopied for clinical use or adapted to meet • taking homeopathic remedies or herbal medicines your facility’s requirements. Selected references are available upon request. • using different pharmacies to fill your prescriptions• having more than one health care provider prescribing LPN2006 l Volume 2, Number 5

Source: http://www.nursingcenter.com/upload/Journals/Documents/PolypharmacyPtEdguide.pdf