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A study of polypharmacy leading to adverse drug reactions in geriatric patients at tertiary care hospital

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Original Article

Author Details : K. Chandra Mouli Krishna, Swathi Ratnam Regidi

Volume : 5, Issue : 2, Year : 2018

Article Page : 97-100

https://doi.org/10.18231/2393-9087.2018.0021

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Abstract

Polypharmacy is a common occurrence in elderly patients due to reasons like multiple co-morbdiities, multiple drug prescribing physicians. Adverse drug reactions (ADR) are most frequently observed among the elderly as the responsiveness to the drugs is altered due to number of age related confinement. In the present study we plan to identify the ADRs in elderly due to polypharmacy.
Objectives: 1. To assess the rationality of prescription based on WHO criteria and Beers criteria. 2. To identify the adverse drug reactions occurring in the elderly as a result of polypharmacy.
Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the department of General Medicine, Anil Neerukonda Hospital, attached to NRI Institute of Medical Sciences, Sangivalasa, Visakhapatnam. The study period was (Sep & Oct) for 2 months in 2016. The patient prescriptions analyzed were 30. The inclusion criteria were >65yrs of both sexes and prescribed more than 5 drugs. The details of drugs collected were analyzed according to WHO/INRUD indicators.
Results: Study showed that, polypharmacy involving hypertension associated with diabetes and respiratory disorders receiving 10.4 drugs per patient. About 53.3% of the patients received more than ten drugs per day. The most common medical diagnosis associated with polypharmacy was respiratory disorders with 39.7% and number of drugs was 10 in that group.  About 18.9% of the drugs prescribed were potentially harmful drugs according to Beers list. The incidences of ADRs were 16.4% among the total patients, majority being type 1 ADRs.
Conclusion: The polypharmacy seen in majority of elderly patients was inappropriate. The average number of drugs per prescription was high (>10). Many adverse drug reactions were noted according to beers list. The prescription pattern for geriatric age group should be by generic name and rational prescription should be followed.

Keywords: Adverse drug reaction, Geriatric, Polypharmacy

How to cite : Krishna K C M, Regidi S R, A study of polypharmacy leading to adverse drug reactions in geriatric patients at tertiary care hospital. Indian J Pharm Pharmacol 2018;5(2):97-100

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