A Review on the Pharmacological Challenges of Polypharmacy in Elderly Patients
Keywords:
Geriatrics, Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacokinetics, PolypharmacyAbstract
The contemporaneous use of multiple medications is defined as Polypharmacy. Due to rising multimorbidity and life expectancy among elderly population, the prevalence of polypharmacy has increased. Despite the need for managing complex conditions, it significantly presents pharmacological challenges. By focusing on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes, drug interactions, adverse drug reactions and strategies for optimizing medication use, this systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of polypharmacy in elderly individuals. Physiological changes related to age, complicates the drug metabolism and responses, further leads to toxicity from higher susceptibility. Due to fragmented care and insufficient geriatric-specific guidelines, the inappropriate prescribing remains increasing. In reducing medication related risks, strategies such as medication review, multidisciplinary care and deprescribing have showed a remarkable impact.
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