Geriatric Polypharmacy

The purpose of this course is to provide clinicians with the knowledge necessary to ensure that geriatric patients are effectively treated while reducing unnecessary polypharmacy. In addition, members of the public may use this course to enhance their personal knowledge of the subject matter presented.


Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:


1. Define polypharmacy in the elderly patient.

2. Identify guidelines to prevent the use of unnecessary medications in elderly patients.

3. Describe physiologic changes of aging that cause differences in drug metabolism.

4. Discuss the potential problems polypharmacy may cause in older patients.

5. Evaluate the impact of polypharmacy in specific conditions as well as approaches to avoid inappropriate prescribing.

6. Describe a prescribing cascade and the importance of medication assessment and reconciliation.


This 5-hour continuing education course is available for download for professional development; if continuing education credit is desired, please see instructions included in eBook.