Volume : 13, Issue : 04, April – 2026

Title:

POLYPHARMACY IN OLDER ADULTS IN GENERAL WARDS: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Authors :

Abboju Tulasi *, Chidre Harsha, C. Rakesh Kumar, Dr. P Soma Sekhar

Abstract :

Polypharmacy (≥5 concurrent medications) is near-universal in older adults admitted to general medical wards, with hospitalized prevalence reaching up to 96.5%. It arises from multimorbidity and age-related physiological changes, and is associated with adverse drug reactions (ADRs), drug-drug interactions (DDIs), falls, cognitive decline, and increased mortality. This narrative review synthesizes post-2020 evidence on the definitions, epidemiology, clinical consequences, assessment tools (Beers Criteria 2023, STOPP/START v3), and management strategies including deprescribing and pharmacist-led medication reviews, with relevance to the Indian general ward context.
Keywords: Polypharmacy; Older adults; Adverse drug reactions; Deprescribing; Beers Criteria; General ward; Medication review

Cite This Article:

Please cite this article in press Abboju Tulasi et al., Polypharmacy In Older Adults In General Wards: A Narrative Review, Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2026; 13(04).

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