LeSage J
Geriatric/Gerontological Nursing Department, Rush University, College of Nursing, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
Nurs Clin North Am. 1991 Jun;26(2):273-90.
Although research-based information concerning geriatric polypharmacy is lacking, available data suggest possible causes, health risks, and areas for intervention. Nursing home residents are more likely to be recipients of unnecessary and excessive drugs than community-dwelling elderly. Polypharmacy can lead to increased adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, and medication errors. In the future, there will be single drug therapy for conditions now requiring multiple drugs, but improved diagnosis of disease could lead to persons receiving additional, appropriate drugs for these health problems. Informed patients collaborating with knowledgeable prescribers and those dispensing and administering their medications may be able to reduce the number of drugs they are taking. More research is needed to identify methods that promote safe self-medication behavior and better drug use in nursing homes. Health risks associated with polypharmacy and the escalating costs of medications require that nurse participation in ensuring that the elderly receive only necessary and effective drug treatment.
尽管缺乏关于老年多药合用的基于研究的信息，但现有数据表明了可能的原因、健康风险及干预领域。与居家老年人相比，养老院居民更有可能接受不必要和过量的药物治疗。多药合用会导致药物不良反应增加、药物相互作用及用药错误。未来，对于目前需要多种药物治疗的病症将会有单一药物疗法，但疾病诊断的改善可能会使人们针对这些健康问题接受额外的适当药物治疗。与知识渊博的开处方者以及配药和给药人员合作的明智患者或许能够减少所服用的药物数量。需要更多研究来确定促进安全自我用药行为及改善养老院药物使用的方法。多药合用相关的健康风险以及不断攀升的药物成本要求护士参与确保老年人仅接受必要且有效的药物治疗。
