Polypharmacy
Definição
The concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient, typically defined as five or more drugs. Polypharmacy increases the risk of drug interactions, adverse effects, medication errors, and poor adherence. It is particularly common in elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions.
Exemplo
A patient taking 8 medications for heart failure, diabetes, and depression has a significantly higher risk of drug interactions than a patient on 2 medications.
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