Summary: Key Concepts in this Case

Polypharmacy guidance: realistic prescribing
Scottish Government Effective Prescribing & Therapeutics Division
Polypharmacy icon of two pills
  1. Large number of medications are likely to be needed and effective, however more support may be required as adherence an issue
  2. Potential to usefully detect and treat conditions (in this case atrial fibrillation)
  3. Potential for high risk drug combinations particularly in patients on multiple medications which may need to be stopped
  4. Need for direct advice to patient on medication, e.g. regarding dehydration
  5. Link with non-pharmacological management
  6. A longer than standard consultation will be required to ensure that there is time to cover the patient’s concerns and issues, and focus on medication and deprescribe where appropriate.
  7. The need for a multi-disciplinary approach