Polypharmacy refers to the use of several medications by a patient. The causes can stem from prescription drug addiction and the subsequent use of multiple medications from multiple doctors. Or, in the case of seniors and psychiatric patients there may be clinical indications for all medications, but the resulting treatment includes too many pills. Additionally, an elderly patient may build up a continuing routine of medical treatment and as new issues occur, or old issues re-occur, the doctor continues to prescribe new drugs that are not necessarily warranted. The result of too many medications can be troubling, even fatal.
Treatment through medication is a complicated process, especially when a doctor is trying to use multiple substances to treat a single ailment. For example, in the area of pain management there are several sources of the pain to be explored and/or treated, as well as the effects of the pain itself. The doctor may prescribe anti-epileptics, antidepressants, muscle relaxants and perhaps an opioid - additional to regular medications the patient may take for other issues (diabetes, respiratory diseases, etc). The drug synergy the doctor is attempting to find can only be achieved through a trial and error basis, during which time the patient is inundated with a pill burden.
Pill burden is a term used to describe patients who are tasked with taking a number of tablets or capsules each day and grow to resent or avoid it. The result can be non-compliance with the therapies, which in turn can lead to serious episodes that end up with patient hospitalization. A person may 'forget' to take their medications for a few days and attempt to make up for it by doubling up on medication, sometimes leading to an overdose. The best route out of a cycle of pill burden, is for the patient and family to work with doctors on a treatment plan that could include medications with long-acting ingredients - ones which don't need to be taken as often.
Adding to the topic of polypharmacy, are reports coming out of Great Britain stating studies that have shown many drugs commonly prescribed to seniors have an alarming effect on the brain. According to a BBC Health report June 2011, several drugs have an anticholinergic effect, meaning they interfere with messages between nerve cells, and cause declining brain function, dementia and eventually premature death. A few of the most severe culprits are ditropan (for incontinence), benzatropine or Cogentin (for treating Parkinson's), dicyclomine (for symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and trimipramine (for depression, anxiety, pain, psychosis).
As previously stated, prescribing medication for a variety of ailments in one person is a complicated and often frustrating process. Doctors, health care workers and families of the elderly need to be well informed in medications and their interactions. Family members must work with their loved one in finding the best treatment routine and ensure appropriate medicare supplemental insurance is in place. Polypharmacy is not always completely avoidable, but it can be closely managed and monitored to prevent a heart-breaking outcome.
Treatment through medication is a complicated process, especially when a doctor is trying to use multiple substances to treat a single ailment. For example, in the area of pain management there are several sources of the pain to be explored and/or treated, as well as the effects of the pain itself. The doctor may prescribe anti-epileptics, antidepressants, muscle relaxants and perhaps an opioid - additional to regular medications the patient may take for other issues (diabetes, respiratory diseases, etc). The drug synergy the doctor is attempting to find can only be achieved through a trial and error basis, during which time the patient is inundated with a pill burden.
Pill burden is a term used to describe patients who are tasked with taking a number of tablets or capsules each day and grow to resent or avoid it. The result can be non-compliance with the therapies, which in turn can lead to serious episodes that end up with patient hospitalization. A person may 'forget' to take their medications for a few days and attempt to make up for it by doubling up on medication, sometimes leading to an overdose. The best route out of a cycle of pill burden, is for the patient and family to work with doctors on a treatment plan that could include medications with long-acting ingredients - ones which don't need to be taken as often.
Adding to the topic of polypharmacy, are reports coming out of Great Britain stating studies that have shown many drugs commonly prescribed to seniors have an alarming effect on the brain. According to a BBC Health report June 2011, several drugs have an anticholinergic effect, meaning they interfere with messages between nerve cells, and cause declining brain function, dementia and eventually premature death. A few of the most severe culprits are ditropan (for incontinence), benzatropine or Cogentin (for treating Parkinson's), dicyclomine (for symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and trimipramine (for depression, anxiety, pain, psychosis).
As previously stated, prescribing medication for a variety of ailments in one person is a complicated and often frustrating process. Doctors, health care workers and families of the elderly need to be well informed in medications and their interactions. Family members must work with their loved one in finding the best treatment routine and ensure appropriate medicare supplemental insurance is in place. Polypharmacy is not always completely avoidable, but it can be closely managed and monitored to prevent a heart-breaking outcome.
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