Polypharmacy is defined as the use of multiple medications at the same time by one individual. Because your health tends to deteriorate as you get older, this condition is most likely to happen to senior citizens. Therefore, if your doctor has placed you on more than one prescription, if you have prescriptions with more than one doctor or even if you take a prescription along with over-the-counter medications or natural supplements, this potential problem should be a real concern for you.
Understanding Interactions of Multiple Prescriptions
In most cases, pharmacists call the taking of multiple medications as polypharmacy when at least five or more scripts are being taken simultaneously. However, mixing any type or number of drugs or supplements together in your body can have potentially dangerous side effects. Every drug and every natural supplement or herb has certain properties that interact with your body’s cells and organs. When mixed, they can become dangerous or create new or increased side effects.
Be Careful of Side Effects of Medication
When you follow these tips, you can avoid the concerns that arise with polypharmacy. You can avoid dangerous drug side effects, learn when to stagger each of your medications and be sure that you are taking all of your medications at the correct time.
