Factors Leading to Excessive Polypharmacy

Polypharmacy has undisputable benefits for many patients. However, it is also associated with excessive use of drugs, and risk factors include adverse reactions, interactions, medication errors, hospitalization, and diminishing adherence. The proportion of inappropriate medications has been shown to increase with the number of prescribed drugs. Studies have shown increasing prevalence of polypharmacy, especially in the elderly. This article presents a brief overview of the factors leading to excessive polypharmacy and describes the health premises and behavior patterns of patients, as well as the varying approaches of physicians and the interaction between patient and physician.