PROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF CVD POLYPHARMACY PRESCRIPTIONS AMONG GERIATRIC PATIENTS

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions due to polypharmacy
in elderly patients on cardiovascular drugs. Method: A prospective observational study was conducted among
geriatric patients aged above 60. The study was conducted in the department of cardiology of a tertiary care centre.
Prescriptions of 100 elderly patients were analysed for patient demographic details like age, gender, comorbidities,
and drugs prescribed. Adverse drug reactions, and drug -drug interactions were assessed using Medscape. Results:
In this study, polypharmacy was found in 92 (92%) prescriptions, 72 (72%) prescriptions had drug-drug interactions.
3 (3%) prescriptions had adverse drug reactions. There was an increase in the use of 5-8 medications between ages
60 and 89. Women experienced greater polypharmacy. Conclusion: The finding of present study reveals that there is
a positive correlation between age and number of drugs prescribed and women experienced greater polypharmacy. It
is found that polypharmacy increases the risk of adverse drug reaction and drug-drug interaction, which can be
minimized by pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics modification of the drug regimen. Cautionary guidelines can
be developed and implemented and also computer-based screening, patient education might help to prevent adverse
drug reactions and drug-drug interactions due to polypharmacy.