What is the definition of polypharmacy?

Polypharmacy refers to the concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient, typically defined as taking five or more medications simultaneously. This practice often arises in individuals, particularly older adults, who may have multiple health conditions requiring treatment. While polypharmacy can be necessary for managing various health issues, it increases the risk of drug interactions and adverse effects, as the more medications a person takes, the greater the chance that those medications may interact negatively with one another.

This definition highlights the importance of careful monitoring and management of a patient's medication regimen to minimize risks and ensure effective treatment. The other choices do not accurately capture the nature of polypharmacy; for instance, prescribing only one medication at a time is the opposite of polypharmacy, while reducing dosages or switching medications deals with medication management strategies rather than the concept of polypharmacy itself.