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@article{190856,
        author = {Yashovardhan Sujit kharat and Reema Rani and Dr. Rupali tasgaonkar},
        title = {Polypharmacy: Risks, Management, and Clinical Challenges in Modern Medicine},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {8},
        pages = {5509-5513},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=190856},
        abstract = {The global healthcare landscape is currently witnessing a silent epidemic: the surge of polypharmacy. Driven by an aging population and the subsequent rise in multi-morbidity, the concurrent use of multiple medications has become the norm rather than the exception. While these pharmacological advancements offer the promise of managing chronic conditions, they simultaneously introduce a labyrinth of risks, including adverse drug events (ADEs), debilitating drug-drug interactions, and a significant decline in patient adherence.
Modern clinical discourse has shifted from a purely numerical definition of polypharmacy— The concept of polypharmacy has evolved from a simple numerical definition—commonly described as the use of five or more medications—to a more nuanced evaluation known as appropriate polypharmacy. This review article examines the physiological risks associated with the concurrent use of multiple drugs., the systemic barriers created by medical specialization, and the emerging strategies for effective management, such as structured deprescribing and multidisciplinary care. By leveraging tools like the STOPP/START criteria and the potential of pharmacogenomics, healthcare systems can transition from a "prescribing culture" to a "management culture," ensuring that medication regimens enhance rather than burden the lives of patients.},
        keywords = {medication safety, appropriate polypharmacy, deprescribing, multi-morbidity, adverse drug events, medication review, clinical challenges, geriatric care.},
        month = {January},
        }