Glossary term
Polypharmacy
Polypharmacy is the use of multiple medications at once — common in older adults and a leading cause of drug interactions and medication errors.
Updated · Published April 24, 2026
Polypharmacy refers to taking multiple medications at the same time, often defined as five or more. It is very common in older adults, who may see several specialists and accumulate prescriptions over the years.
Why it is a safety concern
The more medications a person takes, the higher the risk of drug interactions, side effects, and medication errors — especially when different doctors prescribe without seeing the full list. Aging also changes how the body processes drugs, making seniors more sensitive to their effects. Polypharmacy is linked to falls, confusion, and hospital visits.
Managing it safely
Key steps include keeping one complete, current medication list (prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements), using a single pharmacy so the pharmacist can catch interactions, and asking for a regular medication review to safely stop drugs that are no longer needed (called deprescribing). An organized pill organizer or automatic pill dispenser helps prevent missed and double doses. See our medication safety guide.