DO YOU TAKE A LOT OF
MEDICATIONS?
ARE THERE DANGERS FROM TAKING
WE WELCOME VALISA SAUNDERS, AN
INPATIENT CONSULTANT FOR
THE GERIATRICS DEPARTMENT AT THE
QUEEN'S MEDICAL CENTER IN
THIS MORNING'S ASK A
SPECIALIST...
WHAT IS POLYPHARMACY AND WHAT
ARE WE SEEING?
Polypharmacy
More than 5 medications
Wrong dose, adverse reactions
or
interactions
Contraindicated drugs for
conditions
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS/RISKS OF
TAKING TOO MANY MEDICATIONS?
Danger of too many meds
Gastrointestinal
bleeding/ulcers
Kidney insufficiency
G - HOW CAN WE BE SAFE? WHAT IF
ONE NEEDS THESE
Read about your medications
potential side effects are
Talk to your pharmacist
Review over-the- counter
medications
you take with provider and
pharmacist at
every visit
Have a system for taking your
medications and tracking changes
THANK YOU! VALISA SAUNDERS IS
PART OF THE GERIATRICS TEAM AT
THE QUEEN'S MEDICAL CENTER. FOR
MORE INFORMATION, SHE RECOMMENDS
GOING TO THE AGENCY FOR
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND QUALITY
WEBSITE, WHICH IS PART OF THE
U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN
AND SEARCH "FAMILY
ENGAGEMENT INTERVENTIONS." WE