Diagnosis and control of polypharmacy in the elderly

Authors

  • Patrícia Medeiros-Souza Universidade de Brasília; Hospital Universitário de Brasília; Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas
  • Leopoldo Luiz dos Santos-Neto Universidade de Brasília; Hospital Universitário de Brasília; Departamento de Ciências Médicas
  • Liana Tieko Evangelista Kusano Universidade de Brasília; Hospital Universitário de Brasília; Centro de Medicina do Idoso
  • Maurício Gomes Pereira Universidade Católica de Brasília; Departamento de Gerontologia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102006005000050

Keywords:

Health of the elderly, Drug therapy, combination, Prescriptions, drug, Drug interactions, Drugs of continuous use, Comment

Abstract

The article had the purpose of commenting on studies on polypharmacy in the elderly, focusing on diagnosis and control. Polypharmacy is defined as the use of a number of medications at the same time and the use of additional drugs to correct drug adverse effects. The fact that the elderly take more medications for the treatment of several diseases makes them more susceptible to the occurrence of adverse reactions. Prophylactic actions such as balanced prescriptions are vital to reduce the incidence of these reactions and prevent longer hospital stay, increased costs and aggravation of the elderly health condition.

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Published

2007-12-01

Issue

Vol. 41 No. 6 (2007)

Section

Comments

How to Cite

Medeiros-Souza, P., Santos-Neto, L. L. dos, Kusano, L. T. E., & Pereira, M. G. (2007). Diagnosis and control of polypharmacy in the elderly . Revista De Saúde Pública, 41(6), 1049-1053. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102006005000050