Challenge of Taking Five or More Medicines at a Time
When Isabel turned 40, she thought she was entering another exciting chapter. After all, everyone kept saying, “Life begins at 40!” Little did she know that it also meant dealing with health challenges and starting maintenance medication.
As the years went by, Isabel’s maintenance meds increased. It all started with a simple morning routine, but now, she takes several pills at different times of the day. Sometimes Isabel struggles to keep up with her medication schedule.
If someone like Isabel, who is in their 40s, already finds it challenging to keep track of a few medications, imagine how much more complicated it can get for someone in their 60s and up, who is managing several health conditions at once.
What is Polypharmacy?
Polypharmacy is taking five or more medicines at a time to manage different health conditions. Keeping track of multiple medicines can make medication safety challenging, especially for people over 60, who are managing different chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, coronary heart disease, depression, and other health issues.
Symptoms of Polypharmacy
According to Johns Hopkins, the regular use of multiple prescriptions can cause the following symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Reduce alertness
- Weakness
- Falls and accidents
- Skin rashes
- Confusion
- Lack of appetite
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Anxiety
Annual Medication Review
It is recommended to have a medication review with your doctor at least once a year. But you may need to schedule one sooner if you start or stop a medicine, experience new symptoms, or observe side effects. Never change your dosage or stop a prescribed medicine without medical advice.
During your medical review, you can:
- Discuss all the medicines that you’re taking, including prescriptions from different doctors, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements.
- Review proper doses, timing, and administration of your medicines.
- Ask about possible side effects and how to manage them.
- Share your concerns about your medications, especially if you’re having trouble taking your medications as prescribed.
Benefits of a Medication Review
1. Avoid possible drug interactions.
According to MedlinePlus, the more medications an individual takes, the bigger the risk of drug interactions. An interaction is when taking a particular medicine affects how another one works. For example, when taken together, one medicine may weaken the effectiveness or stop the absorption of another medication. Interactions can also change the effects of different medications. For example, certain cholesterol-lowering statins may increase the blood-thinning effects of warfarin, resulting in bleeding.
2. Coordinate different prescriptions from various doctors.
Some patients may see multiple physicians for different health conditions without realizing that they have been prescribed the same drug under different brand names. A medication review can help identify and address duplicate prescriptions to prevent overdose and other complications.
3. Prevent adverse drug events (ADE).
People who are taking five or more medications have an 88% higher risk of an ADE than someone taking fewer medications. Examples of minor ADEs are drowsiness, dry stomach, and dry mouth. More severe ADEs may involve rashes, swelling, and difficulty breathing, which may need immediate medical attention. Very severe cases may lead to liver or kidney damage.
4. Help bring down health care expenses.
During a medication review, you may ask your doctor to recommend economical alternatives like generic counterparts or less expensive brands.
5. Ensure medications are still effective.
Your health condition may change over time, and you may be taking medications that are no longer effective. A medical review allows your doctor to assess your condition and determine whether it is necessary to adjust your medications to keep your treatment safe and effective.
Bottomline
For some people, especially older adults, taking five or more medicines may be necessary to treat different health conditions. But taking them without proper guidance can increase the risk of drug interactions and adverse drug events.
A medication review at least once a year helps ensure that you’re taking your medicines correctly and that they are still effective in treating your health conditions. It’s also an opportunity to discuss cost-effective alternatives that can reduce your healthcare expenses.
Taking five or more medicines doesn’t have to be complicated. With annual medical reviews and close guidance from your doctor, you can manage your medications better to protect your health and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is polypharmacy?
Polypharmacy generally refers to taking five or more medicines to manage multiple health conditions.
2. What are the common signs of medication-related problems?
Possible signs include dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, confusion, loss of appetite, stomach problems, and skin rashes. It’s advisable to consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms to determine whether they may be related to your medications and whether any adjustments are necessary. Seek immediate medical attention for severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face or throat.
3. How often should I have my medications reviewed?
A medication review is generally recommended at least once a year. However, you may need one sooner if you receive a new prescription, start or stop a medicine, develop new symptoms, or experience side effects.
4. What should I bring to a medication review?
Bring an updated list of all your prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements. Include their dosages and how often you take them.
5. How can I manage multiple medications more safely?
Follow your prescribed schedule, use a medication organizer or reminder, and keep an updated medication list. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to clarify instructions, especially if some medicines must be taken with food while others should be taken on an empty stomach.