polypharmacy Flashcards
The 7 steps
- Aims
- Essential?
- Unnecessary
- Effective?
- Safety
- Cost effectiveness
- Adherence/ patient centredness
Aims
What matters to the patient?
Objectives of drug therapy
Managing existing problems
Prevention of future problems
Essential?
Discuss with expert before stopping
Discuss with expert before altering
Unnecessary?
Expired indication
Valid indication?
Benefit vs risk
Effectiveness?
Intensifying existing drug therapy
Specified drug therapy
Safety
Cumulative toxicity
Anticholinergic burden
Frail
(Think about detail by therapeutic area)
Cost effectiveness
Dispersible
Specials?
Branded
More than 1 strength/ formulation of same drug
Adherence/ patient centredness
Cognitive self administration
Technical self admin
Tablet burden
PPIs
Clostridium difficile
Osteoporosis
Hypomagnesia
Try not to treat long term, keep at low doses
H2 blockers
Anticholinergic ADRs
Laxatives
Fluid loss> hypokalemia> constipation
If more than 1 do NOT stop abruptly
Antispasmodics
Rarely effective
Rarely indicated long term
Anticholinergic side effects
Anticoagulants
Bleeding risk - avoid use with antiplatelets and NSAIDs
Much more effective for stroke prevention in AF than antiplatelets
Antiplatelets
Bleeding risk - avoid use with anticoagulants and NSAIDs
Aspirin + clopidogrel only indicated for 12 months after ACS
Conisder PPI if GI risk factors
Diuretics
AKI risk
Electrolyte disturbance risk
Spironolactone
Hyperkalemia risk
Risk factors: CKD, high dose, co treatment with ACEIs/ ARBs, amiloride, triamteren, potassium supplements
Digoxin
Toxicity risk
Risk factors: CKD, high dose, poor adherence, hypokalemia, drug-drug interactions
Peripheral vasodilators
Rarely effective
Rarely indicated long term
Quinine
Risk of thrombocytopenia, blindness, deafness
Only short term if leg cramps
Review effectiveness regularly
Antianginals
Hypotension caution
If mobility has reduced, consider reducing dose
Antiarrhythmics
Overdosing risk
Thyroid complication risk
Statins
Rhabdomyolysis risk
Consider life expectancy
BP lowering drugs
Little evidence supporting tight BP control in older frail group
Individualise targets
Beta blockers
Risk of bradycardia (esp in combination with rate limiting CCBs)
ACEIs/ ARBs
Risk of AKI
Avoid using with NSAIDs
Stop when at risk of dehydration
Sick day rule guidance
CCBs
Risk of constipation and ankle oedema
If rate limiting, risk of bradycardia
If dihydropyridines, risk of reflex tachycardia
Spironolactone
Risk of hyperkalemia
Risk factors: CKD, ACEI/ARB
Risk of AKI
Do not combine with NSAIDs
Theophylline
Risk of toxicity (tachycardia, CNS excitability)
Monotherapy in COPD NOT appropriate
Avoid combining with macrolides/ quinolones
Steroids
Risk of osteoporotic fractures
If long term needed, give bone protection
Long term oral use rarely indicated
Withdraw gradually
Antihistamines
Risk of anticholinergic ADRs
Rarely indicated long term
Hypnotics and anxiolytics
Risk of falls, fractures, confusion, memory impairment
Risk of dependency
Antipsychotics
Risk of stroke and death in elderly patients with dementia
Anticholingeric ADR for chlorpromazine
Worsening of PD
Antidementia drugs
Only continue if functional/ behavioural symptoms improve
Use MMSE
TCAs
Confirm need
Risk of anticholinergic ADRs
Risk of GI bleeding
Avoid with MAOI because of risk of serotonin syndrome
Metoclopramidde
Only licensed for 5 days unless palliative
Worsening of PD (domperidone more suitabel)
Antihistamiens
Anticholiergic ADRs
Opioids
Risk of constipation Risk of cognitive impairment Risk pf respiratory depression Risk of immunosuppression Risk of sex hormone suppression
Paracetamol
Risk of overdosing
Dose reduction when low body weight/ renal/ hepatic impairment