Reducing Inappropriate Polypharmacy
The University of Queensland · Princess Alexandra Hospital · +8 more institutions
Abstract
Inappropriate polypharmacy, especially in older people, imposes a substantial burden of adverse drug events, ill health, disability, hospitalization, and even death. The single most important predictor of inappropriate prescribing and risk of adverse drug events in older patients is the number of prescribed drugs. Deprescribing is the process of tapering or stopping drugs, aimed at minimizing polypharmacy and improving patient outcomes. Evidence of efficacy for deprescribing is emerging from randomized trials and observational studies. A deprescribing protocol is proposed comprising 5 steps: (1) ascertain all drugs the patient is currently taking and the reasons for each one; (2) consider overall risk of…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 61.03
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 55
Authors
12- ISIan ScottCorresponding
The University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital
- SNSarah N. Hilmer
The University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital
- EREmily Reeve
The University of Sydney
- KNKathleen N. Potter
Government of Western Australia Department of Health
- DGDavid G. Le Couteur
The University of Sydney, Concord Repatriation General Hospital
Topics & keywords
- Deprescribing
- Polypharmacy
- Medicine
- Discontinuation
- Adverse effect
- Intensive care medicine
- Beers Criteria
- Observational study
- Good health and well-being