Monilääkehoito

Monilääkehoito, often referred to as polypharmacy in English, is the concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient. This term is typically applied when a person is taking five or more medications regularly. While polypharmacy can be a necessary and beneficial approach for managing complex health conditions, it also carries significant risks and challenges.

The use of multiple medications is common in older adults and individuals with chronic diseases, as they often have multiple comorbidities requiring different treatments. For instance, a patient with diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease might be prescribed several medications to manage each condition. In such cases, monilääkehoito can be essential for optimizing health outcomes and improving quality of life.

However, polypharmacy increases the likelihood of adverse drug reactions, drug-drug interactions, and medication non-adherence. When a patient takes many pills, it becomes more difficult to keep track of dosages, timing, and potential side effects. This can lead to a cascade of issues, where side effects from one medication are mistaken for symptoms of a new illness, leading to further prescriptions and exacerbating the problem. Careful medication review and deprescribing, which involves discontinuing unnecessary medications, are crucial strategies to mitigate the risks associated with monilääkehoito. Healthcare professionals play a vital role in managing polypharmacy by regularly assessing patients' medication regimens, identifying potential problems, and simplifying treatment plans when possible.