What is a common consequence of polypharmacy in elderly patients?

In elderly patients, polypharmacy, which refers to the concurrent use of multiple medications, often leads to an increased risk of adverse drug events. This group is particularly vulnerable due to factors such as age-related physiological changes, potential drug-drug interactions, and variations in metabolism and excretion rates of medications. As the number of medications increases, so does the complexity of managing these drugs, which can result in higher chances of side effects, drug interactions, and overall health complications.

Moreover, elderly patients may have comorbidities that require several medications, leading to challenges in medication adherence and increased incidents of errors such as dosing mistakes or missed doses. This risk underscores the importance of careful medication management and regular review of all medicines prescribed to this population to mitigate adverse outcomes and enhance safety.