How Polypharmacy Led to 43 Prescription Pills at Once

More than half of those over 65 take four or more prescription medications, but in some cases it gets even more extreme - to dozens of meds in a single patient.

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• While 89% of people aged 65 and older take at least one prescription medication, 54% take four or more

• A commentary by Dr. Mark E. Williams detailed the case of “Allison,” who was taking 43 different medications and suffering multiple side effects as a result

• Polypharmacy is a preventable risk factor for hospital admission in older adults…