How Polypharmacy Led to 43 Prescriptions at Once

More than half of those over 65 take four or more prescription medications, with sometimes questionable effects on their health

Doctors are often directed in how to treat specific conditions, and all too often those protocols are based around pills. Tim Masters/Shutterstock

Polypharmacy, or the use of multiple medications, is common in older adults. While 89 percent of people aged 65 and older take at least one prescription medication, 54 percent take four or more. Data from Merck similarly found that nearly 80 percent of older adults regularly take at least two prescription drugs, while 36 percent regularly use five or more different drugs—and this doesn’t include over-the-counter medications.

Adverse effects from polypharmacy are common and may drive patients to seek out ever-more drugs to treat the side effects caused by their drug regimen. This can create a vicious cycle that’s perpetuated by a health care system where doctors have little time to spend with patients and are directed to use treatment protocols centered on pharmaceutical-driven care.