Reducing Polypharmacy
The first and most important step is to have every physician involved in treatment be aware of every medication and even multivitamin taken by Mom or Dad daily. Collect every bottle and make a detailed list including the drug name, size of dosage (in milligrams or international units), recommended dosage (daily or daily frequency, for example), and any cautions stated on the bottle or package.
Read every package insert or on-box description of the drug – including the small type – which details warnings about not taking the drug if certain other conditions exist, the possible side effects and the possible conflicts with other medications. You will quickly learn why to be concerned and, perhaps, understand how and why the medications can be at war with each other.
Identify on another sheet the possible side effects that you can observe. Refer to the list of symptoms above.
Bring all of the medication bottles/packages to one of the currently used pharmacies to request a database analysis of each drug and the combination, a procedure that will also identify side effects and drug conflicts.
Provide the two lists to every physician and medical center providing treatment to Mom or Dad, asking for a specific analysis of the need for the drug/medication.
Have the revised prescriptions re-written by only one physician who advises the other medical providers. And assign all of the prescriptions and even OTC medications to one pharmacy where the pharmacist can monitor the drugs regularly and serve as professional counsel to you regarding the drug regimen. This service is available without added cost.