LITERATURE REVIEW: POLYPHARMACOTHERAPY AND ITS NEUROLOGICAL EFFECTS IN THE ELDERLY IN POLAND AND EUROPE

Martyna Maria Knopek; Paulina  Prudzic; Maciej Lazarek; Kamila Prusinowska  Prusinowska; Aleksasndra Sipowicz-Woźniak; Aleksandra H. Piotrowska; Zuzanna Kordyś-Wyrobek; Ewelina Flegiel

doi:10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5712

Authors

Martyna Maria Knopek Cardiology Department, Jan Karol Łukowicz Regional Specialist Hospital, Leśna 10, 89-600 Chojnice, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3383-1259
Paulina Prudzic Rudolf Weigl Hospital in Blachownia, Sosnowa 16, 42-290 Blachownia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8746-8540
Maciej Lazarek Department of Medical Communication and Medical Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1137-9851
Kamila Prusinowska Prusinowska Praski Hospital in Warsaw, Solidarności 67, 03-401 Warszawa, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9512-2934
Aleksasndra Sipowicz-Woźniak General Psychiatry Department, Bednorz Józef Psychiatric Hospital in Świecie, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9180-1136
Aleksandra H. Piotrowska Department of Geriatrics, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9599-0461
Zuzanna Kordyś-Wyrobek Voivodeship Hospital Complex, Świętego Józefa 53-59, 87-100 Toruń, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2923-229X
Ewelina Flegiel Hospital of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration in Łódź, Północna 42, 91-425 Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0481-7176

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5712

Keywords:

Polypharmacotherapy, Geriatrics, Neurology

Abstract

In recent years both in Poland and Europe there have been observed progressive demographic changes and aging of the population. Polypharmacy can be defined as the simultaneous and regular use of at least five different drugs and is particularly often used in elderly patients due to the multimorbidity. According to some sources, elderly people take between two and nine different medications daily, of which even about 60% are inappropriate. The aim of this paper is to summarize information on polypharmacy in seniors in order to plan it as best as possible and at the same time to avoid potential adverse effects, with particular emphasis on the nervous system.

One of the most significant for polypharmacy is the age structure of the society. Poland is one of the European countries where the fastest growth of this ratio is observed. Huge problem seems to be the system of educating doctors, which is not adjusted to the changing demographics of the society. Furthermore, one of the factors contributing to polypharmacy is the excessive consumption of dietary supplements by Poles, especially geriatric patients - almost half of Poles consume them regularly.

Polypharmacy can be defined as the simultaneous use of at least five different drugs. It is particularly often used in elderly patients due to the multimorbidity and lack of healthcare access. The advantage of polypharmacotherapy is faster achievement of target values, which may improve the patient-doctor relationship, while the disadvantage is the increased risk of side effects. Polypharmacy is a significant problem in the European elderly, to avoid its negative effects, drugs with high bioavailability, short half-lives and a broad therapeutic spectrum are the best choice.

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