Which term describes the practice of elderly individuals taking multiple medications that can interact and produce dementia-like symptoms?

Which term describes the practice of elderly individuals taking multiple medications that can interact and produce dementia-like symptoms?

• A. Monotherapy
• B. Polypharmacology
• C. Polypharmacy
• D. Pharmacovigilance

Answer: (C)

Using many medications in older adults raises the risk of drug–drug interactions that can produce cognitive changes resembling dementia. This pattern is known as polypharmacy. It captures the reality of a patient taking multiple drugs concurrently, which increases the chance of interactions, adverse effects, and confusion or delirium that can look like dementia. Monotherapy describes using a single drug, so it doesn’t fit. Polypharmacology refers to a drug’s effects on multiple targets within biology, a pharmacology concept rather than a patient’s medication pattern. Pharmacovigilance is about monitoring drug safety after use, not the practice of taking several medications.

Using many medications in older adults raises the risk of drug–drug interactions that can produce cognitive changes resembling dementia. This pattern is known as polypharmacy. It captures the reality of a patient taking multiple drugs concurrently, which increases the chance of interactions, adverse effects, and confusion or delirium that can look like dementia.

Monotherapy describes using a single drug, so it doesn’t fit. Polypharmacology refers to a drug’s effects on multiple targets within biology, a pharmacology concept rather than a patient’s medication pattern. Pharmacovigilance is about monitoring drug safety after use, not the practice of taking several medications.