Overmedication
Overmedication refers to the excessive use of medication where it may cause harm to the patient. It is a common problem among the elderly, who are often prescribed multiple medications for various health conditions. Overmedication can lead to adverse drug reactions, increased healthcare costs, and a decreased quality of life.
Causes
Overmedication can occur for a variety of reasons. It can be due to polypharmacy, where a patient is taking multiple medications, often prescribed by different doctors, without adequate coordination or oversight. It can also be due to the overuse of over-the-counter medications, or the misuse of prescription drugs.
Risks
The risks of overmedication include adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, and increased healthcare costs. Adverse drug reactions can range from mild side effects to serious, life-threatening conditions. Drug interactions can occur when two or more drugs are taken together, potentially leading to decreased effectiveness or increased toxicity. Increased healthcare costs can result from unnecessary hospitalizations or medical interventions due to adverse drug reactions or drug interactions.
Prevention
Prevention of overmedication involves regular review of all medications a patient is taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and dietary supplements. This can be done by a healthcare professional, such as a pharmacist or doctor. Patients should also be educated about the potential risks of overmedication and the importance of taking medications as prescribed.
Treatment
Treatment of overmedication involves reducing the number of medications a patient is taking, if possible, and managing any adverse drug reactions or drug interactions. This may involve changing the dose of a medication, switching to a different medication, or discontinuing a medication altogether.
See also
Transform your life with W8MD's budget GLP-1 injections from $125.
W8MD offers a medical weight loss program to lose weight in Philadelphia. Our physician-supervised medical weight loss provides:
- Most insurances accepted or discounted self-pay rates. We will obtain insurance prior authorizations if needed.
- Generic GLP1 weight loss injections from $125 for the starting dose.
- Also offer prescription weight loss medications including Phentermine, Qsymia, Diethylpropion, Contrave etc.
NYC weight loss doctor appointments
Start your NYC weight loss journey today at our NYC medical weight loss and Philadelphia medical weight loss clinics.
- Call 718-946-5500 to lose weight in NYC or for medical weight loss in Philadelphia 215-676-2334.
- Tags:NYC medical weight loss, Philadelphia lose weight Zepbound NYC, Budget GLP1 weight loss injections, Wegovy Philadelphia, Wegovy NYC, Philadelphia medical weight loss, Brookly weight loss and Wegovy NYC
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
