What is a major complication associated with polypharmacy?

The choice highlighting the increased risk of adverse drug interactions is particularly significant in the context of polypharmacy, which refers to the simultaneous use of multiple medications, often seen in patients with chronic conditions. As patients take more medications, the possibility of interactions between those drugs increases. Some medications may enhance or inhibit the effects of others, leading to unintended side effects, toxicity, or decreased therapeutic effectiveness. These complications can complicate a patient’s health status, requiring careful management and monitoring by healthcare providers.

In contrast, the concepts of reduced efficacy, improved health outcomes, and lower healthcare costs do not represent the realities of polypharmacy. Reduced efficacy is a concern, but it stems from interactions themselves rather than being a standalone issue. Improved health outcomes are also unlikely, as polypharmacy generally complicates treatment regimens and may not lead to better overall health. Additionally, polypharmacy often leads to increased healthcare costs due to the need for additional monitoring, management of side effects, and treatment of complications arising from drug interactions.