OPTIMIZATION OF DRUG THERAPY IN ELDERLY PEOPLE USING POLYMEDICATION: A STUDY ON DRUG INTERACTIONS AND THE RELEVANCE OF INFORMATION TOOLS IN PHARMACEUTICAL CARE

Abstract

Population aging has led to an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases, which requires the use of multiple medications in the elderly. This practice, known as polypharmacy, is associated with a series of health problems, compromising quality of life and increasing the risk of hospitalizations and mortality in these patients. Given this problem, the following questions arise: what resources can be used by pharmacists to manage polypharmacy, aiming to improve the quality of life of elderly patients? In this context, this study was guided by the general objective: to highlight the resources accessible to pharmacists for carrying out possible therapeutic interventions in elderly patients. In addition, it has the following specific objectives: to identify the main drug interactions and adverse reactions associated with polypharmacy in the elderly; to highlight approaches for optimizing drug therapy in polymedicated elderly people; and to evaluate the importance of pharmaceutical care in monitoring and managing polypharmacy in the elderly. The data collection method adopted was descriptive and explanatory bibliographic research, conducted using a qualitative approach, using the databases of Lilacs, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature – CINAHL, PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, SciELO and Google Scholar, theses, scientific articles and websites. In view of this, the results of the research indicate that polypharmacy in the elderly is linked to negative health outcomes, highlighting the importance of effective tools to support the work of pharmacists in the correct use of medications, directing them towards the most effective form of treatment for these patients.