Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports 9/2023

31-07-2023 | Multiple Sclerosis

Polypharmacy in Multiple Sclerosis: Prevalence, Risks, and Mitigation Strategies

Authors: W. Daniel Chapman, Megan C. Herink, Michelle H. Cameron, Dennis Bourdette

Published in: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports | Issue 9/2023

Login to get access

Abstract 

Purpose of Review

Polypharmacy, the use of ≥ 5 medications, is common in people with multiple sclerosis and is associated with negative outcomes. The use of multiple medications is common for symptom management in people with multiple sclerosis, but risks drug-drug interactions and additive side effects. Multiple sclerosis providers should therefore focus on the appropriateness and risks versus benefits of pharmacotherapy in each patient. This review describes the prevalence and risks associated with polypharmacy in people with multiple sclerosis and offers strategies to identify and mitigate inappropriate polypharmacy.

Recent Findings

Research in people with multiple sclerosis has identified risk factors and negative outcomes associated with polypharmacy. Medication class-specific investigations highlight their contribution to potentially inappropriate polypharmacy in people with multiple sclerosis.

Summary

People with multiple sclerosis are at risk for inappropriate polypharmacy. Multiple sclerosis providers should review medications and consider their appropriateness and potential for deprescribing within the context of each patient.
Literature
3.
go back to reference Boyd C, Smith CD, Masoudi FA, Blaum CS, Dodson JA, Green AR, et al. Decision Making for Older Adults With Multiple Chronic Conditions: Executive Summary for the American Geriatrics Society Guiding Principles on the Care of Older Adults With Multimorbidity. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2019;67(4):665–73. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15809.CrossRefPubMed Boyd C, Smith CD, Masoudi FA, Blaum CS, Dodson JA, Green AR, et al. Decision Making for Older Adults With Multiple Chronic Conditions: Executive Summary for the American Geriatrics Society Guiding Principles on the Care of Older Adults With Multimorbidity. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2019;67(4):665–73. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1111/​jgs.​15809.CrossRefPubMed
4.
go back to reference Halli-Tierney AD, Scarbrough C, Carroll D. Polypharmacy: Evaluating Risks and Deprescribing. Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(1):32–8.PubMed Halli-Tierney AD, Scarbrough C, Carroll D. Polypharmacy: Evaluating Risks and Deprescribing. Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(1):32–8.PubMed
12.
go back to reference Medication Safety in Polypharmacy. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2019 (WHO/UHC/SDS/2019.11). Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. Medication Safety in Polypharmacy. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2019 (WHO/UHC/SDS/2019.11). Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
13.
go back to reference American Geriatrics Society 2023 updated AGS Beers Criteria® for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2023;71(7):2052–81. American Geriatrics Society 2023 updated AGS Beers Criteria® for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2023;71(7):2052–81.
15.
go back to reference •• Monette PJ, Schwartz AW. Optimizing Medications with the Geriatrics 5Ms: An Age-Friendly Approach. Drugs Aging. 2023;40(5):391–6. This paper presents a framework for addressing polypharmacy and optimizing medication use in geriatric patients. •• Monette PJ, Schwartz AW. Optimizing Medications with the Geriatrics 5Ms: An Age-Friendly Approach. Drugs Aging. 2023;40(5):391–6. This paper presents a framework for addressing polypharmacy and optimizing medication use in geriatric patients.
17.
go back to reference Rojanasarot S, Carlson A. Health Care Utilization Associated With Polypharmacy In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis. Value in Health. 2017;20(9):A513.CrossRef Rojanasarot S, Carlson A. Health Care Utilization Associated With Polypharmacy In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis. Value in Health. 2017;20(9):A513.CrossRef
18.
go back to reference • de Oliveira VM, Rios CC, Gubert VT, Ferreira CM, de Vasconcelos-Pereira EF, Toffoli-Kadri MC, Monreal MTFD. Association of clinical epidemiological factors to polypharmacy among patients with multiple sclerosis: real-life data. ABCS Health Sciences. 2021;46:e021212–e021212. https://doi.org/10.7322/abcshs.2020137. ()CrossRef • de Oliveira VM, Rios CC, Gubert VT, Ferreira CM, de Vasconcelos-Pereira EF, Toffoli-Kadri MC, Monreal MTFD. Association of clinical epidemiological factors to polypharmacy among patients with multiple sclerosis: real-life data. ABCS Health Sciences. 2021;46:e021212–e021212. https://​doi.​org/​10.​7322/​abcshs.​2020137.​ ()CrossRef
32.
go back to reference •• Thelen J, Zvonarev V, Lam S, Burkhardt C, Lynch S, Bruce J. Polypharmacy in Multiple Sclerosis: Current Knowledge and Future Directions. Mo Med. 2021;118(3):239–45. This paper reviewed recent literature on polypharmacy in people with multiple sclerosis.PubMedPubMedCentral •• Thelen J, Zvonarev V, Lam S, Burkhardt C, Lynch S, Bruce J. Polypharmacy in Multiple Sclerosis: Current Knowledge and Future Directions. Mo Med. 2021;118(3):239–45. This paper reviewed recent literature on polypharmacy in people with multiple sclerosis.PubMedPubMedCentral
51.
go back to reference Dowell D, Ragan KR, Jones CM, Baldwin GT, Chou R. CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain — United States, 2022. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2022;71(3):1–95.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Dowell D, Ragan KR, Jones CM, Baldwin GT, Chou R. CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain — United States, 2022. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2022;71(3):1–95.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
68.
go back to reference Bjerre LM, Farrell B, Hogel M, Graham L, Lemay G, McCarthy L, et al. Deprescribing antipsychotics for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and insomnia: Evidence-based clinical practice guideline. Can Fam Phys. 2018;64(1):17–27. Bjerre LM, Farrell B, Hogel M, Graham L, Lemay G, McCarthy L, et al. Deprescribing antipsychotics for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and insomnia: Evidence-based clinical practice guideline. Can Fam Phys. 2018;64(1):17–27.
69.
go back to reference Pottie K, Thompson W, Davies S, Grenier J, Sadowski CA, Welch V, et al. Deprescribing benzodiazepine receptor agonists: Evidence-based clinical practice guideline. Can Fam Phys. 2018;64(5):339–51. Pottie K, Thompson W, Davies S, Grenier J, Sadowski CA, Welch V, et al. Deprescribing benzodiazepine receptor agonists: Evidence-based clinical practice guideline. Can Fam Phys. 2018;64(5):339–51.
Metadata
Title
Polypharmacy in Multiple Sclerosis: Prevalence, Risks, and Mitigation Strategies
Authors
W. Daniel Chapman
Megan C. Herink
Michelle H. Cameron
Dennis Bourdette
Publication date
31-07-2023
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports / Issue 9/2023
Print ISSN: 1528-4042
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6293
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-023-01289-9

Other articles of this Issue 9/2023

Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports 9/2023 Go to the issue