Medication management is a component of treatment burden experienced by people with multimorbidity.1 Burden can arise as a result of needing to access, administer and monitor medications, and through experiencing adverse medication events. This burden is exacerbated by the use of complex medication regimens. Two-thirds of Australians aged ≥75 years use five or more regular medications.2 More than half of residents of Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs) use nine or more regular medications, and one-third have five or more daily medication administration times.3 Complex medication regimens may be linked to the application of multiple disease-specific clinical practice guidelines in the context of multimorbidity, inertia arising from reluctance to modify treatment initiated by another prescriber, and frequent transitions of care.4 Medication regimen simplification is consistent with the concept of minimally disruptive medicine, which refers to minimising the treatment burden that arises from asking patients to adhere to multiple treatments, guidelines and recommendations.1
What makes a medication regimen complex?
Complexity of a medication regimen is correlated with the number of prescription, non-prescription and complementary and alternative medications (CAMs).3 Complexity can also arise because of the number of daily medication administration times, multiple or complicated dose forms, and special administration instructions (eg crush tablets, take with food).3
Clinicians may underestimate the difficulty people experience interpreting dosing instructions. This can result in variability in medication self-administration practices.5,6 A US study showed that when patients aged 55–74 years were presented with the same hypothetical seven-medication regimen suitable for four times daily dosing, patients took medications on three to 14 different occasions throughout the day.6 Patients may unnecessarily adjust their daily routine to accommodate restrictive dosing instructions. Lindquist et al reported that older people may delay leaving the house or going to bed to comply with specific dosing instructions.5 To understand the true complexity of a medication regimen, it is necessary to actively and non-judgementally ask about use of prescription medications, non-prescription medications and CAMs, the latter often not routinely disclosed in consultations.7 This should include a discussion of both regular and as-needed (PRN) medication use.
Why reduce medication regimen complexity?
Complex medication regimens are associated with a higher number of errors (eg self-administration errors) and an increased risk of hospitalisation.8 Medication regimen complexity is also an independent predictor of hospital discharge to non-home settings.9 There is emerging although inconsistent evidence that the overall complexity of an older person’s medication regimen is associated with non-adherence,8 with once-daily dosing associated with better adherence than twice, three times or four times daily dosing.10 A review of seven studies reported less frequent dosing is associated with similar or higher health-related quality of life in people with angina, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Parkinson’s disease and seizures.11
Overall complexity should be considered in the context of an individual’s capacity to self-manage their medication regimen. Paradoxically, the most complex regimens are often prescribed to those with the least capacity to manage.3 This may include people with cognitive impairment, who are frail, have poor eyesight or limited dexterity.3,12 For example, older people with Parkinson’s disease or rheumatoid arthritis may have difficulty opening child-resistant containers and using medical devices (eg inhalers) because of dexterity changes. Poor health literacy may be associated with an inability to read or interpret complex instructions for medication use, leading to an increased risk of medication errors. When presented with the same medications, people with lower health literacy report taking their medications on more occasions throughout the day than those with higher health literacy.6
While all older people may benefit from reduced treatment burden, other potential benefits are setting dependent. For community-dwelling older people, capacity to self-manage a medication regimen may be a requirement for continuing to live independently at home. Reducing the number of daily administration times to coincide with home visits by nurses, carers or family members may improve medication adherence. In residential aged care, simplifying complex medication regimens may assist residents with dementia-related swallowing difficulties and minimise nursing time required to prepare and administer medications. This may allow more time for nurses to focus on safe administration practices or other direct care activities. Medication administration is time-consuming and challenging for informal carers, nurses and personal care workers.13,14
How can medication regimen complexity be reduced?
Steps for simplifying a complex medication include obtaining a best possible medication history (BPMH), ensuring appropriateness of current therapy and deprescribing, and medication regimen simplification. It is necessary to have an accurate medication list before initiating the process of deprescribing and medication regimen simplification.15–17 Deprescribing and medication regimen simplification are complementary services. Deprescribing involves the ‘stepwise reduction of unnecessary or potentially inappropriate medications after consideration of therapeutic goals, benefits and risks, and medical ethics’.17 Medication regimen simplification refers to reducing medication burden through strategies such as consolidating dose times and routes of administration.16 Unlike deprescribing, medication regimen simplification on its own does not seek to change the therapeutic intent of the regimen.
Obtain a best possible medication history
A BPMH is a current and complete list of an individual’s prescription, non-prescription and CAMs compiled from various sources including the patient or carer.18 A BPMH should include details such as medication dose, frequency and route of administration, recognising that these may not be in accordance with the prescriber’s intent. Any discrepancies between the BPMH and the intended medication regimen should be clarified and documented.18 Medication reconciliation is recommended at various points during patient care, and is a starting point for deprescribing and regimen simplification.19
Ensuring appropriateness of current therapy and deprescribing
Once a BPMH has been obtained, it is important to confirm all medications are clinically indicated and appropriate. Home Medicine Reviews (HMRs) and Residential Medication Management Reviews (RMMRs) are collaborative services provided by general practitioners and pharmacists that involve identification of possible medication-related problems.19–21 For this reason HMRs and RMMRs may be useful for identifying opportunities for deprescribing. Pooled analyses of seven RMMR studies indicated 16% of pharmacist recommendations related to medication cessation.20 While overall evidence for medication review is mixed, HMR and RMMR in Australia has been associated with reduced numbers of medications, decline in potentially inappropriate medication use and fewer hospitalisations.20,21 Deprescribing is underpinned by complex decision-making processes,22 and requires shared decision making with prescribers, patients and their family, pharmacists, nurses and allied health professionals.19 Use of a decision aid in relation to deprescribing proton-pump inhibitors has been trialled with mixed success in Canada.23 However, the wider body of literature on decision aids suggests these may be valuable to promote active involvement in deprescribing decisions by helping patients become more knowledgeable, better informed and clearer about their values.24 It is important for clinicians to initiate discussions about deprescribing, because willingness to deprescribe is higher if physicians reassure patients it is possible.25
Medication regimen simplification
When all current medications are deemed clinically appropriate, it may be possible to further reduce a patient’s medication burden through medication regimen simplification strategies (Box 1).
| Box 1. Medication simplification strategies15,16 |
Regimens can be simplified through strategies such as:
- administering medications at the same time
- using long-acting rather than shorter-acting formulations
- using combination products rather than multiple single-ingredient products
- consolidating routes of administration.
|
When simplifying a regimen, the clinical benefit of administering medications at a specific time of day (eg administering a statin at night, thyroxine before breakfast) may need to be balanced against the likely benefits achieved through reducing the overall regimen complexity. The decision to reduce complexity should always involve a discussion with the patient and their carer to elucidate their preferences and perspectives.
The Medication Regimen Simplification Guide for Residential Aged CarE (MRS GRACE) is a newly developed, implicit five-step process for guiding the simplification process (Box 2).16 Using the MRS GRACE tool, two pharmacists independently simplified 29 and 30 out of 50 residents’ medication regimens, respectively, with fair agreement.16 Simplification was possible for the majority of residents with four or five daily medication administration times. A cluster randomised controlled trial in South Australian RACFs showed that applying the principles in the MRS GRACE tool reduced residents’ number of daily administration times (odds ratio –0.36; 95% confidence interval: –0.63, –0.09; P = 0.01) at the four-month follow-up, with no measurable impact on secondary outcomes including resident satisfaction, quality of life, falls, hospitalisations or mortality.15 However, the impact of the one-off simplification intervention on number of daily administration times was sustained over 12 months.26 A multi-component intervention that involved obtaining a BPMH and medication regimen simplification was successfully piloted among 25 recipients of community-based home care services, with simplification opportunities identified for 14 individuals.27
| Box 2. Medication Regimen Simplification Guide for Residential Aged CarE (MRS GRACE)16 |
Consideration can be given to administering all medications at the same time each day unless the following apply:
- Is there a resident-related factor that precludes simplification?
- Is there a regulatory or safety imperative that precludes simplification?
- Is simplification likely to result in any clinically significant drug–drug, drug–food,
or drug–time interactions?
- Is there no alternative formulation available that can support less complex dosing?
- Is simplification likely to result in any unintended consequences for the resident or facility?
|
Reproduced from Chen EYH, Sluggett JK, Ilomäki J, et al, Development and validation of the
Medication Regimen Simplification Guide for Residential Aged CarE (MRS GRACE), Clin Interv Aging
2018;13:975–86, doi: 10.2147/CIA.S158417. A full explanatory statement for each simplification criterion is available in Chen et al.16 |
Box 3 provides an example of how a hypothetical medication regimen may be simplified. This example incorporates the acquisition of a BPMH, ensuring clinical appropriateness and deprescribing, and medication regimen simplification.
Box 3. Example simplification of a hypothetical medication regimen
1. Obtain a best possible medication history
Mrs AB is a patient at your general practice clinic. You create a best possible medication history through non-judgementally interviewing Mrs AB about her current medications, proactively asking about any non-prescription medications or complementary and alternative medications (CAMs), reviewing medical records and inspecting her dose administration aid.
Medication |
Dose |
| Breakfast |
Lunch |
Dinner |
Bed |
| Atorvastatin 10 mg |
|
|
|
1 |
| Amlodipine 5 mg |
1 |
|
|
|
| Metformin 500 mg |
1 |
|
1 |
|
| Paracetamol 500 mg |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| Pantoprazole 40 mg |
1 |
|
|
|
| Ferrous sulfate 325 mg CR |
1 |
|
|
|
| Latanoprost 0.005% eye drops |
|
|
|
1 |
| Timolol 0.5% eye drops |
|
|
|
1 |
2. Ensure appropriateness of current therapy and deprescribing
You review the ongoing clinical appropriateness of each medication and discuss deprescribing with Mrs AB. With permission you also involve Mrs AB’s carer.
- Mrs AB’s GORD symptoms are well controlled. You suggest reducing the dose of pantoprazole to 20 mg daily with the view to possible cessation.
- Recent iron levels suggest no sign of iron deficiency. On interview, Mrs AB discloses that she started taking iron tablets because her neighbour suggested they would ‘make her feel more energetic’. You suggest cessation.
- Mrs AB states that her chronic pain has improved since commencing an exercise regimen recommended by her physiotherapist. You suggest reducing the daily paracetamol dose, with a plan to review and adjust as appropriate.
Medication |
Dose |
| Breakfast |
Lunch |
Dinner |
Bed |
| Atorvastatin 10 mg |
|
|
|
1 |
| Amlodipine 5 mg |
1 |
|
|
|
| Metformin 500 mg |
1 |
|
1 |
|
| Paracetamol 500 mg |
2 |
2 |
|
2 |
| Pantoprazole 20 mg |
1 |
|
|
|
| Latanoprost 0.005% eye drops |
|
|
|
1 |
| Timolol 0.5% eye drops |
|
|
|
1 |
3. Medication regimen simplification
Once you are satisfied all medications and doses are appropriate, you implement regimen simplification strategies with no changes to the therapeutic intent:
- atorvastatin prescribed in combination with amlodipine
- metformin switched to the XR formulation
- paracetamol rationalised to the CR formulation
- latanoprost prescribed in combination with timolol.
Medication |
Dose |
| Breakfast |
Lunch |
Dinner |
Bed |
| Atorvastatin 10 mg/amlodipine 5 mg |
1 |
|
|
|
| Metformin XR 1000 mg |
1 |
|
|
|
| Paracetamol 665 mg CR |
2 |
|
|
2 |
| Pantoprazole 20 mg |
1 |
|
|
|
| Latanoprost 0.005%/timolol 0.5% eye drops |
|
|
|
1 |
Overall result
- Daily administration times reduced from four to two
- Daily tablets reduced from 14 to seven
- Daily eye drop administrations reduced from two to one
- Eight medication products reduced to five
CR, controlled release; GORD, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease; XR, extended release
Reasons for not simplifying medication regimens
Clinical judgement is required before implementing simplification strategies to avoid any unintended consequences or inadvertently reduce medication adherence. There are circumstances in which simplification may not be appropriate.16 These include patient-related factors (eg patient prefers to spread medication-taking across day, patient is unable to swallow modified-release formulations whole), likelihood of medication interactions (eg orthostatic hypotension from co-administration of cardiovascular medications), possible unintended consequences (eg need for invasive monitoring) and setting-specific factors (eg qualified staff not available to administer medications at specific times).
Medication management strategies
Dose administration aids (DAAs) supplied by pharmacies can be used to aid medication management in community and RACF settings. Examples of DAAs include compartmentalised plastic boxes (eg Dosette), blister packs (eg MedicoPak, Webster-Pak) and sachet systems (eg APHS medication sachets, MPS Packettes). DAAs are widely used to aid medication administration in RACFs.19 Potential benefits of DAA use in the community include increased communication between healthcare professionals and better disease control.28 However, DAAs do not address intentional non-adherence. DAAs are most effective in patients motivated and willing to take their medications, and who have the ability to use the DAA.28 A DAA may not be appropriate for all patients – for example, if the regimen is frequently changing, or the medications are not appropriate for inclusion in a DAA (eg inhalers, hygroscopic tablets).28 Reducing the complexity of a patient’s medication regimen may also avoid the need for a DAA. Resources in relation to medication management strategies are provided at the end of this article.
Activities post–regimen simplification
Medication regimen simplification includes documenting and communicating regimen changes with the patient and others involved in medication management (eg medical specialists, RACF staff, community pharmacists, carers, nurses, providers of community-based home care services). Ongoing assessment of the suitability of the new regimen and monitoring for any potential unintended consequences is also important. The provision and maintenance of an up-to-date medication list may aid the patient’s understanding and use of the new regimen, and facilitate the communication of the regimen to other health professionals and across transitions of care.29
Additional resources for medication management
Medication management and living with multiple medications
- NPS MedicineWise – Living with multiple medications: Patients and health professionals share their experiences
- The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Medication management. In: RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book). 5th edn. East Melbourne, Vic: RACGP, 2019.
- Hilmer SN, Gnjidic D, Le Couteur DG. Thinking through the medication list: Appropriate prescribing and deprescribing in robust and frail older patients. Aust Fam Physician 2012;41(12):924–28.
Best possible medication history and medication reconciliation
Deprescribing
- The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Deprescribing. In: RACGP aged care clinical guide (Silver Book). 5th edn. East Melbourne, Vic: RACGP, 2019.
- Monash University and Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services – Talking about deprescribing [video]
- Potter K, Page A, Clifford K, Etherton-Beer C. Deprescribing: A guide for medication reviews. J Pharm Pract Res 2016;46(4):358–67. doi: 10.1002/jppr.1298.
Medication regimen simplification
- Chen EYH, Sluggett JK, Ilomäki J, et al. Development and validation of the Medication Regimen Simplification Guide for Residential Aged CarE (MRS GRACE). Clin Interv Aging 2018;13:975–86. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S158417.