Role of Nurse in Polypharmacy

The term polypharmacy refers to the group of medications one person may be taking it's known as polypharmacy. The term polypharmacy refers to the group of medications one person may be taking the specter of polypharmacy is an everincreasing problem. Among older adults, polypharmacy is a common problem. Currently, 44% of men and 57% of women older than age 65 take five or more medications per week; about 12% of both men and women take 10 or more medications per week. These agents include both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) preparations, such as vitamin and mineral supplements and herbal products. Nurses play a functional role in assisting patients to understand the dangers of polypharmacy. The specter of polypharmacy is an ever-increasing problem faced by the health care professionals.