Abstract

A REVIEW ON CHALLENGES OF POLYPHARMACY, MEDICATION ADHERENCE AND ADR AMONG GERIATRIC POPULATIONS

Dona George*, Fathimath Suhana P. B., Abdul Hakeem, Midhuna V. T., Ashmid T. K.

ABSTRACT

Geriatrics is the branch of medicine that focus on the health and well being of older adults typically those who aged 65 years and above. Medication adherence is defined as the extent to which a person's medication taking behavior coincides with the agreed medication regimen from a health care provider. Polypharmacy refers to the use of more than five medications by a single patient, commonly seen among the elderly. Age-related changes such as reduced kidney and liver function, hypoalbuminemia, decreased body weight, and multiple comorbidities make older adults more susceptible to altered drug responses and increased risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Polypharmacy is widespread among older people, but the adverse outcomes associated with it are unclear. We aim to analyze current evidence on the adverse health outcome and medication adherence among geriatric population using multiple medications. We searched multiple electronicdatabases for studies reporting reasons for challenges of polypharmacy and non-adherence to medication regimens in patients aged 65 years and above.

Keywords: Geriatrics, polypharmacy, medication adherence, ADR, Drug interaction.