Deprescribing Polypharmacy in the Elderly Population

Authors

Bailey Freed, University of LynchburgFollow
Elyse Watkins, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

family practice

Advisor

Elyse Watkins

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to review polypharmacy and examine the benefits of deprescribing to prevent the adverse risks of falls in the elderly population.

Method: A PubMed literature search was conducted with search terms deprescribe, polypharmacy, elderly population, fall reduction. Twelve pertinent articles were retrieved, and they serve as the basis for this clinical review.

Results: More research is still needed to support the correlation of deprescribing polypharmacy in the elderly to prevent falls.

Conclusion: Medications create side effects with all populations. Inappropriate polypharmacy prescribing habits frequently leads to elderly patients experiencing a fall. Deprescribing polypharmacy in patients over 65 years old should be carried out on a routine basis with a goal of minimizing patient harm. Elderly patients need frequent medication reviews and the elimination of medications known to contribute to falls. Medical providers need to work together to use an evidence-based approach towards elderly patient’s polypharmacy and continue close monitoring for the safety of elderly patients. Further research is needed to establish a correlation between deprescribing polypharmacy and reduction in fall risk for elderly patients.

Recommended Citation

Freed B, Watkins E. Deprescribing Polypharmacy in the Elderly Population. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2020; 2(4).