Question

Discuss the concern of Polypharmacy pertinent to this patient

middle aged patient

present illness: SOB, Non-productive cough, chest pain, knee pain, stress urinary incontinence,

Diagnosis: Cardiovascular edema, left ventricular hypertrophy, and arthritis, sinus tachycardia, hypertension

surgical history: Mass removed from thigh (BG), choly, tubal, tubal ligation, hernia repair

MEDICATIONS: ondansetron 4mg Q6HP

atorvastatin calcium 80mg QHS

Docusate sodium 100mg Q6HP

Folic acid/ Float 1mg PO D

Morphine sulfate 1mg Q3hp

Lorazepam 2mg iv Q1HPA

Acetaminophen 650 mg po Q6HP

Ferrous sulfate 325mg BIDBD

Amlodipine 5mg BIDBD

Metoprolol 25 mg Q6H

Clonazepam 0.5mg BID

Enoxaparin 40mg D SC

prednisone 20mg PCB

Thiamine 100mg D

Ipratropium 1 INH 1Q4H

Please type thanks :)! i posted this earlier but someone gave me only the definition of cardiovascular edema and s/s LOL PLEASE DON'T DO THAT! if you are not sure don't do it  

Answer 1

Polypharmacy is the use of multiple drugs for treatment and cutting down medication after symptoms subsides. This is usually done in elderly patients.But the patient is a middle aged man so this medication will be deprescribed after completion of the course.

This patient sedative drugs like

Morphine ,clonazepam and Lorazepam will be discontinued after his pain recovery from surgery and chest pain.

Docusate sodium is a stool softener used when patient has any cardiac issues

Acetaminophen will be discontinued after cessation of pain (surgical pain)

Enoxparin is an anticoagulant to prevent patient from cardiac complications and later may be converted in oral form

Prednisone to reduce inflammation (arthritis). Other drugs like antihypertensive (Amlodepine,Metaprolol) anti lipedemic ( Atorvastin) to be continued life long

Ipratopium will be used for treating shortness of breath.

The other vitamin supplements (folic acid,ferrous sulphate, Thiamine) will be continued if necessary as per the requirements.