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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Main Author: Ferraz Gonçalves
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2018-08-01
Series:Pharmacy
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/6/3/88
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spelling 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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