Abstract:

Background: Multiple drug prescription is the administration of many drugs at the same time or the administration of an excessive number of drugs at once. Multiple prescription is common in elderly patients attributable to complicated chronic conditions due to normal physiologic changes. However, few details are available concerning polypharmacy in elderly in our setting.

Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study based on the secondary data was conducted at Nyamagana district hospital in Mwanza city. 384 files of patients aging 60 years above attended from March 2018 to February 2019 were retrieved, randomly sampled and analysed by STATA version 13.

Results and Discussion: The prevalence of multiple drugs prescriptions was 73% (280). Of all the prescriptions 27.34% (105) were found to have interaction, in which 2.60% (10) and 24.74% (95) were serious and minor interactions respectively. 72.66% (279) of all prescriptions had no interactions. In a total of 1, 173 drugs 31.03%, 26% and 23.10% were the top three most prescribed drugs antihypertensive, antimicrobials and were anti pain respectively.

Conclusion and recommendation: Multiple drug prescriptions was 73% (280). Of all the prescriptions 27.34% (105) were found to have interaction, in which 2.60% (10) and 24.74% (95) were serious and minor interactions respectively. 72.66% (279) of all prescriptions had no interactions. In a total of 1,173 drugs 31.03%, 26% and 23.10% were the top three most prescribed drugs antihypertensive, antimicrobials and were anti pain respectively.

Conclusion and Recommendation: Multiple drug prescriptions in elderly patients is still a major concern in our settings and can affect overall quality of health care. The government should put an Emphasize to prescribers to follow standard treatment guideline so to avoid some consequences.