What is the impact of polypharmacy?

The impact of polypharmacy is primarily characterized by an increased risk of medication interactions, adverse effects, and medication non-adherence. Polypharmacy refers to the concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient, often common among older adults with multiple chronic conditions.

When a patient takes several medications, the likelihood of interactions between those drugs increases, which can lead to unexpected side effects or diminished effectiveness of the medications. This complexity often results in patients experiencing adverse effects, which can further complicate their treatment regimens.

Additionally, managing multiple medications can overwhelm patients, leading to medication non-adherence. This means that patients may forget to take their medications, take them at the wrong times, or stop taking them altogether due to confusion or side effects. As a result, the intended benefits of treatment may not be realized, exacerbating health issues rather than improving them.

The other options do not accurately reflect the typical outcomes associated with polypharmacy; for instance, polypharmacy generally leads to increased healthcare costs rather than a decrease, and it can hinder patient adherence to medication schedules instead of improving it. Similarly, polypharmacy does not typically result in a reduction of side effects; rather, it often increases the risk of experiencing them due to multiple medications