Polypharmacy in Psychiatry: Three Case Studies and Methods for Prevention:

OBJECTIVE:To illustrate problems of overprescribing in the elderly and to make practical suggestions for prevention of polypharmacy.DESIGN:Three cases of polypharmacy in psychiatric patients admitted to the hospital between January and March 1990 are described. Intervention to correct drug-related problems in these patients is described and methods of preventing polypharmacy are discussed.SETTING:Inpatient psychiatry service in a tertiary-care center.PATIENTS:Elderly psychiatry patients (n=3) taking an excessive number of medications. This polypharmacy was believed to contribute to decreased cognitive and/or physical function.INTERVENTIONS:Medication regimens were reviewed by the physician and pharmacist. Those considered unnecessary or believed to be adversely affecting the patient were discontinued.RESULTS:All patients were discharged on a reduced number of medications, with improvement in cognitive and/or physical function.CONCLUSIONS:Polypharmacy contributes to an increased incidence of adverse reacti...