Polypharmacy and Inappropriate Medication Use

Polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use have become major global healthcare challenges, particularly among older adults, patients with multimorbidity, pregnant women, and individuals receiving long-term treatment for chronic diseases. While the use of multiple medications is often necessary, it can increase the risk of adverse drug events, drug-drug interactions, herb-drug interactions, medication errors, poor adherence, and avoidable hospitalizations. This book provides a timely and comprehensive overview of the causes, consequences, and management of inappropriate medication practices across diverse patient populations. It explores important topics such as deprescribing, medication review, patient-centered care, chronic disease management, anticholinergic burden, medication safety during pregnancy and lactation, and the hidden risks associated with multi-mechanism drugs. The volume also highlights innovative approaches, including multi-target drug design, artificial intelligence in healthcare, and safer prescribing strategies to improve therapeutic outcomes. Bringing together clinical, pharmacological, and healthcare perspectives, this book serves as a valuable resource for pharmacists, physicians, nurses, researchers, healthcare administrators, and policymakers seeking practical solutions to optimize medication use and enhance patient safety. Sprache: Englisch Gewicht in Gramm: 430.…