Deprescription in Advanced Cancer Patients
The use of multiple drugs is often referred to as polypharmacy, although this term has not been precisely defined. Frequently, drugs are used unwisely in multiple combinations increasing the risk of adverse reactions, or for the long-term prevention of diseases in patients with a short life expectan...
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doaj-e45f7153f796445eb475750849da2aff2020-11-24T23:33:40ZengMDPI AGPharmacy2226-47872018-08-01638810.3390/pharmacy6030088pharmacy6030088Deprescription in Advanced Cancer PatientsFerraz Gonçalves0Palliative Care Service, Instituto Português de Oncologia, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, PortugalThe use of multiple drugs is often referred to as polypharmacy, although this term has not been precisely defined. Frequently, drugs are used unwisely in multiple combinations increasing the risk of adverse reactions, or for the long-term prevention of diseases in patients with a short life expectancy who, therefore, will not benefit from them. The reflection on this has led to the introduction of the concept of deprescription. There are many reasons for the inappropriate drug prescription and barriers to reduce medications. Tools were developed to help prescribers to limit the number of prescribed drugs that patients are taking. Several studies have shown that deprescription of some drugs is possible and safe and can even have a positive influence on wellbeing, cognitive function, falls, and admission to a hospital. Deprescription should be individualized and carried out, as far as possible, in agreement with patients and their families. A six-step method for deprescription is proposed.http://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/6/3/88deprescriptionpolypharmacyinappropriate medication |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Ferraz Gonçalves |
spellingShingle |
Ferraz Gonçalves Deprescription in Advanced Cancer Patients Pharmacy deprescription polypharmacy inappropriate medication |
author_facet |
Ferraz Gonçalves |
author_sort |
Ferraz Gonçalves |
title |
Deprescription in Advanced Cancer Patients |
title_short |
Deprescription in Advanced Cancer Patients |
title_full |
Deprescription in Advanced Cancer Patients |
title_fullStr |
Deprescription in Advanced Cancer Patients |
title_full_unstemmed |
Deprescription in Advanced Cancer Patients |
title_sort |
deprescription in advanced cancer patients |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Pharmacy |
issn |
2226-4787 |
publishDate |
2018-08-01 |
description |
The use of multiple drugs is often referred to as polypharmacy, although this term has not been precisely defined. Frequently, drugs are used unwisely in multiple combinations increasing the risk of adverse reactions, or for the long-term prevention of diseases in patients with a short life expectancy who, therefore, will not benefit from them. The reflection on this has led to the introduction of the concept of deprescription. There are many reasons for the inappropriate drug prescription and barriers to reduce medications. Tools were developed to help prescribers to limit the number of prescribed drugs that patients are taking. Several studies have shown that deprescription of some drugs is possible and safe and can even have a positive influence on wellbeing, cognitive function, falls, and admission to a hospital. Deprescription should be individualized and carried out, as far as possible, in agreement with patients and their families. A six-step method for deprescription is proposed. |
topic |
deprescription polypharmacy inappropriate medication |
url |
http://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/6/3/88 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT ferrazgoncalves deprescriptioninadvancedcancerpatients |
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