Older HIV-infected adults. Complex patients (III): Polypharmacy.

TitleOlder HIV-infected adults. Complex patients (III): Polypharmacy.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsFreedman SF, Johnston C, Faragon JJ, Siegler EL, Del Carmen T
JournalEur Geriatr Med
Volume10
Issue2
Pagination199-211
Date Published2019
ISSN1878-7649
Abstract

Polypharmacy is a well-described problem in the geriatric population. It is a relatively new problem for people living with HIV (PLWH), as this group now has a life expectancy approaching that of the general population. Defining polypharmacy for PLWH is difficult, since the most common traditional definition of at least five medications would encompass a large percentage of PLWH who are on antiretrovirals (ARVs) and medications for other medical comorbidities. Even when excluding ARVs, the prevalence of polypharmacy in PLWH is higher than the general population, and not just in resource-rich countries. Using a more nuanced approach with "appropriate" or "safer" polypharmacy allows for a better framework for discussing how to mitigate the associated risks. Some of the consequences of polypharmacy include adverse effects of medications including the risk of geriatric syndromes, drug-drug interactions, decreased adherence, and over- and undertreatment of medical comorbidities. Interventions to combat polypharmacy include decreasing pill burden-specifically with fixed-dose combination (FDC) tablets- and medication reconciliation/deprescription using established criteria. The goal of these interventions is to decrease drug interactions and improve quality of life and outcomes. Some special populations of interest within the community of PLWH include those with chronic pain, substance abuse, or requiring end of life care. A final look into the future of antiretroviral therapy (ART) shows the promise of possible two-drug regimens, which can help reduce the above risks of polypharmacy.

DOI10.1007/s41999-018-0139-y
Alternate JournalEur Geriatr Med
PubMed ID31983932
PubMed Central IDPMC6980352
Grant ListT32 AI007613 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
TL1 TR000459 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States
TL1 TR002386 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States
UL1 TR002384 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States