Polypharmacy means taking multiple medicines or drugs.
Taking multiple medicines is often required to help patients who have more than one illness. However, the risk of problems (including side effects) increases as the number of drugs increases.
To reduce the risk of problems, people taking multiple medicines should have regular medication reviews.
The Polypharmacy Service is run by clinical pharmacologists (doctors with a special interest in medicines) in collaboration with the Integrated Care Board and community pharmacists.
We provide advice and guidance for healthcare professionals across Merseyside. Our team consists of two consultants and two resident doctors. We work closely with pharmacists, GPs and other clinical staff.
More information
Referrals to the service are via community pharmacists only.
Suggested reasons for referral include:
- High number of medicines
- Potentially inappropriate medicines
- Drug interactions
- Adverse drug reactions or side effects
- Difficult prescribing decisions
- Dependency or addiction to prescribed medicines
- Frequent hospital admissions related to medicines
- Concerns raised by the patient or their next of kin.
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Royal Liverpool University Hospital
Address: Royal Liverpool University Hospital
Prescot Street
Liverpool
Merseyside
L7 8XPFor maps and other information visit our Getting Here page for Royal Liverpool University Hospital