Practical examples of Unnecessary Drugs

Practical examples of Unnecessary Drugs

The most obvious example of a situation that could include an Unnecessary Drug is when a patient is admitted or a new medication is started and a proper diagnosis is not noted in the medical record. We encourage you to add all diagnoses to one central list, even if the diagnosis can be found in other parts of the medical record.

Excessive dose happens more frequently than we realize. Although medication references list maximum daily dosages, those maximums are often different for the geriatric population and sometimes also differ based on the condition being treated. It is important to ensure the dosage is consistent with regard to both.

Duplicate therapy happens when we use medications that either have the same indication or therapeutic effect. At times this is inadvertent and must be corrected and other times it is intentional and beneficial.

A good example of duplicate therapy is the use of a second antidepressant to augment therapy. This type of duplication may occur because medications to treat the same condition often have different mechanisms of action and the patient can benefit from combining two different approaches to achieve a better outcome.

Excessive duration is when we use a medication beyond the point of necessity. For example, when a condition has resolved but the drug is not stopped. Although this applies to all medications, it is commonly seen with antibiotics, cough and cold preparations and topical steroid preparations. It is important to use stop dates or reassess the condition in a given time frame and consider eliminating the medication as soon as possible.

The requirement to adequately monitor and avoid adverse consequences are closely related. They are two of the main reasons your pharmacist makes recommendations for lab monitoring. Lab results help to ensure therapeutic dosing and provide valuable information on organ function, which ultimately impacts medication management.

ACTION ITEM: Are you following through on monthly medication regimen review recommendations to eliminate situations that may lead to Unnecessary Drug deficiencies? Ask your pharmacists how you can improve.

How we can help

Our pharmacists review each patient at least monthly in a holistic manner to ensure all medications are necessary. Ask us for additional assistance anytime you are unsure. We may not be in the facility daily, but we are always here to support you!

Any health, medical or drug information on the Web Site is for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to be used, and you should not use it, as a substitute for obtaining professional healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor, a pharmacist or other qualified healthcare provider for professional healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment for any medical condition.