Polypharmacy
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Polypharmacy is defined as "the use of multiple drugs administered to the same patient, most commonly seen in elderly patients. It includes also the administration of excessive medication."[1] Polypharmacy hinders compliance by patients with medications and may increase adverse drug reactions[2].
Taking 4 or more prescriptions daily is more common among low income patients according to one survey.[3] This occurs in 32% of patients with household income below $25,000; whereas this occurs in 12% of those with household income above $75,000.
References
- ↑ National Library of Medicine. Polypharmacy. Retrieved on 2007-12-15.
- ↑ Muir AJ, Sanders LL, Wilkinson WE, Schmader K (2001). "Reducing medication regimen complexity: a controlled trial". J Gen Intern Med 16 (2): 77–82. DOI:10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016002077.x. PMID 11251757. Research Blogging. Full text at PubMed Central
- ↑ USA Today/Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health Survey: the public on prescription drugs and pharmaceutical companies - kaiser family foundation. Retrieved March 10, 2008, from http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/pomr030408pkg.cfm.