Abstract

SANCHEZ-PEREZ, Herlinda; RAMIREZ-ROSILLO, Francisco Javier  and  CARRILLO-ESPER, Raúl. Polypharmacy in the older adult. Perioperative considerations. Rev. mex. anestesiol. [online]. 2022, vol.45, n.1, pp.40-47.  Epub June 13, 2022. ISSN 0484-7903.  https://doi.org/10.35366/102902.

The physiological changes that occur in the elderly produce changes in the pharmacokinetics and states of special susceptibility to adverse reactions to medications and drug interactions. Comorbidities induce greater risk, affecting absorption, excretion and metabolism of drugs. Nonpharmacological factors such as insolation, frailty, cognitive impairment, sensory organ disorders and others, can significantly influence in the success or failure of drug therapy in the elderly. Polypharmacy in the elderly has multiple numerical definitions, such as mayor, moderated and minor polypharmacy. In the elderly is commonly associated with comorbidities. Polypharmacy is defined as the use of multiple medications, usually more than five drugs a day. The risk of polypharmacy increases with age, presence of comorbidities, and the number of drugs. The appropriate prescription includes considerations of the elderly patient, the pathologies traded, and the general conditions of the patient. Polypharmacy is associated with inappropriate prescriptions, increased risk of hospitalizations and increase mortality. The aim of this paper is to review current concepts related to polypharmacy in the elderly in the perioperative period.

Keywords : Polypharmacy; elderly; perioperatory.

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