Drug-Induced Nutrient Deficiencies Among Older Adults

The relationship between polypharmacy and malnutrition is based on several mechanisms. Long-term abuse of multiple drugs results in anorexia, which generally causes minor or more serious impairment of the digestive tract. Conversely, malnutrition often decreases the biological availability of drugs and changes their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Polypharmacy and malnutrition are significant geriatric syndromes that need to be assessed and treated in all older adults; furthermore, they must be evaluated together rather than separately. Practitioners should be aware of the potential impact of individual medication classes as well as extreme polypharmacy on nutritional status and work to reduce the impact through targeted interventions.