Polypharmacy poses health risks to elderly populations

Polypharmacy, defined as the simultaneous use of five or more medications, poses significant health risks to the elderly population. Globally, between 39% and 45% of seniors fall into this category. In Brazil, prevalence rates vary between 18% and 57%, with higher risks observed among women, patients with multiple comorbidities, and individuals over the age of 75.

Excessive medication use is linked to adverse reactions, dangerous drug interactions, falls, mental confusion, and increased hospitalization rates. There is also a heightened risk of iatrogenia, which refers to unintentional harm caused by medical treatment. Common issues include the prolonged and inappropriate use of benzodiazepines, anti-inflammatories, and proton pump inhibitors.

To mitigate these risks, medical experts recommend rational drug use and deprescribing. Rather than stopping medication independently, seniors are advised to conduct regular medical reviews to reduce doses or discontinue drugs that no longer provide benefit. This approach aims to prevent a “medication cascade,” where new drugs are prescribed solely to treat the side effects of existing ones.