- Antipsychotics
- Antiepileptic drugs (AEDS)
- Antidepressants 
- Laxatives

Cedarville University

The use of multiple medications to treat a certain condition. Can cause side effects through drug-drug interaction.

Polypharmacy

O'Dwyer, M., McCallion, P., McCarron, M., & Henman, M. (2018). Medication use and potentially inappropriate prescribing in older adults with intellectual disabilities: a neglected area of research. Therapeutic advances in drug safety, 9(9), 535–557. https://doi.org/10.1177/2042098618782785

Medication use and potentially inappropriate prescribing in older adults with intellectual disabilities: a neglected area of research

Increase in number of drugs prescribed:
- More prescribing errors
- Higher prevalence of adverse drug reactions (ADR)

Risks of Increasing the Number of Prescribed Drugs 

 - Living in Industrial settings
- Mental health conditions
- Neurological Conditions
- More common in Females

Factors Associated with Higher Rates of Polypharmacy in Adults with ID 


The Most Common Therapeutic Drug Classes used in Adults with ID for Polypharmacy

Theraputic Classes in Older Population:
 - Cardiac Therapies
- Analgesics
- Gastrointestinal agents
- Antithrombotics


Polypharmacy in the General Older Population

A patient who has previously been exposed to polypharmacy may not receive other medications 
 - Challenges associated with communication
 - Diagnostic Overshadowing
 - Fear of drug-drug interaction with previously prescribed medications

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