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What is a polymedicated patient? The keys to polymedication in seniors and chronic patients

paciente polimedicado

Marta Hifas |

He polymedicated patient, either by having a Chronic ailment or for being a person over 65 years old, has been increasing in recent years. The Polymedication, or the simultaneous use of multiple medications, it is an increasingly common reality in modern medical care. As science advances and therapeutic options multiply, patients are in a maze of treatments that can often be complicated to address. In the following post we explain the details of the polymedication to use, but we also talk about the Holistic nutrition, in which the simultaneous take of nutritional supplements, and we review what formats can be helpful in these types of situations.

Posted on 01/23/24 Hifas Editorial Team

Content index

Polymedication: excessive or necessary medication?

First of all, what is polymdication? According to them health authorities, polymedication is defined as "the administration of many medications simultaneously or by the administration of an excessive number of medicines". The minimum number of medications used to define polymdication varies, but studies usually place it between 5 and 10 shots of medication a day. The excessive and inappropriate use of medicines is recognized as a public health problem. And rightly, polymedication leads to an entire Cut of potentially serious problems:
    • adverse events,
    • medication interactions and inadequate drug prescription,
    • Increase in health costs.

Polymedication and food supplements: How do they relate?

Although the risks associated with the polymedicated patient refer more often to medications,They are not exclusive to them. In fact, although these are two different products, Taking medications and dietary supplements can lead to problems inherent in polymdication.

The polymedicated patient and drug interactions

As with the use of medications, dietary supplements can be associated with a adverse effects and drug interactions. In other words, accessories can present a risk when taken with medications. This risk is even greater in certain groups. For example, among older people, whose physiological functions may be diminished, taking food supplements can lead to health problems, especially with concomitant medication. On the other hand, there are also Recent reports in literature that indicate excessive or Inadequate of dietary supplements They have resulted in the term "Polioherbalismo" either Nutritional polymedication.

Examples of risks associated with nutritional polymedication

As we have seen, the use of medicines and food supplements is associated with a higher risk of adverse medications events. Here are some examples of known potential interactions:
  • Non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Gingko Biloba: Take NSAIDs, as ibuprofen, at the same time as Gingko Biloba supplements can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding Due to the platelet anti -waring properties of certain compounds present in the Gingko Biloba.
  • Levothyroxin (thyroid hormone) and soy: Some soy dietary supplements, particularly isoflavones, can interfere with the absorption of levothyroxine, a drug used to treat thyroid disorders.
  • Metotrexate (cancer medication) and grapefruit: The grapefruit and its juice contain compounds that inhibit the activity of an enzyme involved in the metabolism of methotrexate.
  • Statin and red yeast rice: andL Red yeast rice naturally contains logovastatin, a natural statin. A person who takes a statin prescribed by a doctor and red yeast rice doubles the treatment.

How to limit the risks of nutritional polymedication?

More specifically, to limit the risks associated with polymedicated patients who also take supplements, various factors should be carefully considered to guarantee the safe and effective use of dietary accessories:
  • Consult your healthcare professional, which can offer you personalized advice.
  • Buy a trusted companies that offer information about drug interaction.
  • Respect the recommended doses To avoid unwanted interactions.
  • Use standardized products of reputed laboratories to improve the reliability and coherence of the dosing.
  • Find out about possible interactions between food supplements and medications, contraindications and side effects.

Liquid formulas: An alternative to nutritional polymedication?

Explore Liquid Oral Administration Formulas offers an interesting perspective to prevent the risks associated with Nutritional polymedication and to the polymedicated patient thanks to several different mechanisms.
  1. First, liquid formulations usually have faster absorption rates compared to solid forms, which reflects a Faster Action Start. This feature can be advantageous for a more precise administration, helping minimize possible interactions.
  2. In addition, the liquid form offers greater flexibility in it dose adjustment, which facilitates the creation of personalized intakes. The dose adaptability From liquid formulations to the specific needs of an individual is easier. As an example, ours Fush liquid extracts range fixes the doses depending on the weight of the person.
  3. Finally, liquid formulations can have a better bioavailability, guaranteeing that a higher percentage of the administered dose reaches the bloodstream, unlike some solid ways.

In the Hifas Da Terra laboratory we have a very innovative food complement that helps the Immune system*

Hifas-lentinan is formulated from lThey know, he Fungal beta-glucan of the Shiitake (Edodes lentinula) the most studied in scientific literature.

  • It contains natural and bioactive substances recognized by its action on the immune system.
  • Taken oral for a better bioavailability of active ingredients.
* Hifas-lentinan It contains fungal immunomodulatory components and vitamin C, which contribute to the normal functioning of the immune system.

Hifas da Terra: A company committed to product security

As biotech specialized in pure fungi, We have made the risk of interaction of our fungal extracts by an independent organism (Medina Foundation). The objective of this study was investigate the interactions of our fungal extracts with P450 hepatic cytochromes (crucial in the metabolization of most drugs). The results indicate that our extracts only present one Low risk of pharmacological interaction due to Its low inhibition of CYP450.

Summarizing: take precautions

Regardless of whether it takes medications without recipe or dietary supplements, it should not self -medicate without consulting your health professional. That certain products are free sale in pharmacies or supermarkets does not mean that they are harmless. The risks inherent in polymedication exist equally, so it is convenient to take precautions before using them.