POLY What?!?!? re-visited

When I wrote my last blog about POLYPHARMACY, I was simply retelling my own Mother’s experience. In her case, I used POLYPHARMCY to refer to the many pills she was taking (not to mention the vitamins and whatever other “natural” remedies ). Then I spoke to my Godson who is a pharmacist. His first definition of POLYPHARMACY was the use of multiple pharmacies. This puzzled me and made me wonder if I had misinformed you with my use of the word. So I did some more research on the term POLYPHARMACY. I found out that I was not the only one confused by this term.

In an article published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (archived at PubMed Central PMC® ) entitled “Polypharmacy: Misleading, but manageable” they listed 40+ ways the term POLYPHARMACY had been used in different medical articles. The way that I used it, referring to overmedication was one of them so I did not misinform you. The way my Pharmacist Godson used it was also included in the 40+ so he didn’t lie to me (always important to verify). But what I found interesting was there was no consistent definition for the way this term is used. Some of the more common uses of the word are the two I’ve already mentioned. But this article stated that this is a term that carries both a positive and a negative connotation. It could refer to appropriate use of multiple medications with beneficial results or use of medication that does not match the diagnosis. It is also used to refer to excessive use of medications but no definitive quantifier is put on the word excessive. This study stated that “the description, “excessive use,” can be interpreted in many ways. Excessive might refer to the frequency of the drug, the dosage, unintentional overuse, intentional misuse or abuse, or drug consumption when a nondrug alternative is more appropriate”. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2546482/

So the only absolute statement I have to say about POLYPHARMACY is be your own advocate! Know the medications you are on, what they are for and how to take them. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor questions. Know the side effects and what to do if you experience them. Get your medications reviewed by your pharmacist. And be sure to keep an up-to-date list of all your medications including vitamins, supplements and all “natural” (or as my Mother calls them-healthy) remedies that you are taking. “My doctor said to take it” is NOT the only reason for you to take a pill.

Oh, my Pharmacist Godson said to tell you to “Get Your Shots!”

Jane Murakami

Golden Years Planning

(507) 403-3875

Www.goldenyearsinfo.com