Polypharmacy in Geriatrics: Death by Medicine - 2039 ). This is a surprising reality, especially given the complex nature of medical management and drug interactions. The term polypharmacy, or use of multiple medications, is recognizable as an ever-growing and significant problem in our current healthcare system. Although the term "polypharmacy" is used frequently, definitions of the word can vary widely. Numerous descriptions were noted, including: medications not consistent with diagnosis, multiple medications, duplicate medications, drug interactions, and excessive duration of use. Some explanations of polypharmacy place particular emphasis on the quantity of concomitant medications, with the most universally mentioned number being six or more (Robert-Ebadi, Le Gal, & Righini, 2009). Regardless of the definition of polypharmacy, one question remains important: How can prescribers more effectively weigh the risks and benefits of additional pharmacological interventions to reduce the concerns associated with polypharmacy, particularly in the geriatric population? The United States General Accounting Office reveals that significant mortality and morbidity are associated with inappropriate use of prescription drugs. Additionally, polypharmacy is recognized as a costly habit; The United States Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates that polypharmacy costs the nation's health plans more than fifty billion dollars each year (Robert-Ebadi, 2009). Although the potential risks of polypharmacy are undeniable, coincidentally, the benefits to patients when drug therapies are combined to treat...... middle of article ......hini, M. (14 May 2009). Use of anticoagulants in elderly patients: practical recommendations. Retrieved November 11, 2013, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2685237/Sottosanti, M. (September 10, 2005). Alternative medicine and the elderly - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 11, 2013 from http://voices.yahoo.com/alternative-medicine-elderly-6153.html?cat=5Upinder, S. (January 2010). Geriatric polypharmacy guidelines. Retrieved February 26, 2014, from http://www.healthplanofnevada.com/documents/provider%20files/Polypharmacy%20Guideline%20Jan%202010%20final.pdWhite, S. (May 7, 2013). Prescription drugs kill more than 100,000 people every year. Are you poorly medicated? | Collective evolution. Retrieved February 26, 2014 from http://www.collective-evolution.com/2013/05/07/death-by-prescription-drugs-is-a-growing-problem/

Essay / Polypharmacy in Geriatrics: Death by Medicine - 2039 ). This is a surprising reality, especially given the complex nature of medical management and drug interactions. The term polypharmacy, or use of multiple medications, is recognizable as an ever-growing and significant problem in our current healthcare system. Although the term "polypharmacy" is used frequently, definitions of the word can vary widely. Numerous descriptions were noted, including: medications not consistent with diagnosis, multiple medications, duplicate medications, drug interactions, and excessive duration of use. Some explanations of polypharmacy place particular emphasis on the quantity of concomitant medications, with the most universally mentioned number being six or more (Robert-Ebadi, Le Gal, & Righini, 2009). Regardless of the definition of polypharmacy, one question remains important: How can prescribers more effectively weigh the risks and benefits of additional pharmacological interventions to reduce the concerns associated with polypharmacy, particularly in the geriatric population? The United States General Accounting Office reveals that significant mortality and morbidity are associated with inappropriate use of prescription drugs. Additionally, polypharmacy is recognized as a costly habit; The United States Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates that polypharmacy costs the nation's health plans more than fifty billion dollars each year (Robert-Ebadi, 2009). Although the potential risks of polypharmacy are undeniable, coincidentally, the benefits to patients when drug therapies are combined to treat...... middle of article ......hini, M. (14 May 2009). Use of anticoagulants in elderly patients: practical recommendations. Retrieved November 11, 2013, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2685237/Sottosanti, M. (September 10, 2005). Alternative medicine and the elderly - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 11, 2013 from http://voices.yahoo.com/alternative-medicine-elderly-6153.html?cat=5Upinder, S. (January 2010). Geriatric polypharmacy guidelines. Retrieved February 26, 2014, from http://www.healthplanofnevada.com/documents/provider%20files/Polypharmacy%20Guideline%20Jan%202010%20final.pdWhite, S. (May 7, 2013). Prescription drugs kill more than 100,000 people every year. Are you poorly medicated? | Collective evolution. Retrieved February 26, 2014 from http://www.collective-evolution.com/2013/05/07/death-by-prescription-drugs-is-a-growing-problem/

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