Polypharmacy

Question 1

What is polypharmacy?

Answer 1

Polypharmacy is an umbrella term to describe the simultaneous use of multiple medicines by a patient for their conditions.

Question 2

What are some important side-effects of medications to think about in older people?

Answer 2

Cognition and consciousness
- Increased risk of delirium

Bowel function
- Especially constipation

Dizziness and balance i.e. postural hypotension and parkinsonism
- Risk of falls / immobility

Question 3

Side-effects of certain drug interaction?

Answer 3

Drugs causing postural hypotension
- Alpha-blocker for BPH and antihypertensive

• Drugs affecting renal function
  Antibiotic and ACE inhibitor

Question 4

Side-effects for anti-cholinergic drugs rhyme?

Answer 4

‘red as a beet, dry as a bone, blind as a bat, hot as a hare, mad as a hatter’

Flushed skin
Urinary retention an dry mouth
Dilated pupils (mydriasis)
Hyperthermia
Confused

Question 5

Short term side-effects of anticholinergics?

Answer 5

Confusion and hallucinations

Tachycardia

Blurred vision

Urinary retention

Constipation

Dizziness

Question 6

Long term side-effects of anticholinergics?

Answer 6

Increased risk of developing dementia

Question 7

Apart from anti-cholinergic drugs, what other drugs have anti-cholinergic symptoms?

Answer 7

Parkinson’s drugs
Antidepressants
Anti-emetics
Opiates
Antipsychotics
Antihistamines
Benzodiazepines
Beta-blockers