Polypharmacy
Pronunciation: pol-ee-FAR-muh-see
The concurrent use of multiple psychiatric or other medications by a single patient, often raising concerns about drug interactions, tolerability, and clinical appropriateness.
Full Definition
Polypharmacy in mental health contexts typically refers to the prescription of multiple psychotropic medications simultaneously, which may be rational (evidence-based combination therapy) or potentially problematic (duplicative mechanisms, excessive burden). Editors reviewing medication reconciliation forms, discharge summaries, and prescribing narratives will encounter this term in quality improvement and utilisation review contexts. The threshold defining polypharmacy varies by source—some define it as five or more concurrent medications; others apply it more narrowly to psychiatric agents. Editors should retain the author's operational definition and flag inconsistent use within the same document.
Usage
Usage note: The definition threshold varies; flag if the document does not specify the criterion used. Distinguish from 'augmentation' (adding a second agent to enhance a primary one) and 'combination therapy' (intentional multi-drug strategy).
In Context
- "The quality review flagged the patient's chart for polypharmacy, as she had been prescribed seven psychotropic medications simultaneously by two different providers." — Quality assurance review
- "When editing discharge summaries, flag apparent polypharmacy for clinician comment if the rationale for each agent is not documented." — Editorial checklist for inpatient discharge documents