Polypharmacy Service: Information for patients and the public
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This page is intended for patients and the public. Click here to access the version for healthcare professionals.
What is Polypharmacy?
‘Polypharmacy’ means taking multiple medicines or drugs.
Taking several medicines is often necessary to help patients with multiple health conditions. However, taking multiple medicines can increase the risk of side effects and interactions between medicines.
Regular medication reviews can help make sure your medicines are right for you, are working as intended and are not causing unnecessary problems.
About St George’s Polypharmacy Service
The Polypharmacy Service at St George’s is run by clinical pharmacologists – doctors who specialise in how medicines work and how they can be used safely and effectively.
We see patients with complex needs, and provide advice and guidance to healthcare professionals across London.
Our team consists of two consultants and two resident doctors. We work closely with pharmacists, GPs and other healthcare professionals to help patients get the best from their medicines.
Getting the best from your medicines
Your appointment with a clinical pharmacologist is an opportunity to review all your medicines and discuss how they are working for you.
We will work with you to identify any medicines that might be causing problems, such as side effects or interactions with other medicines, or that you no longer need.
We will also consider whether there are any other medicines that could benefit you, including any that you may not currently be taking.
Sometimes, the best approach is to continue taking your medicines as they are and provide advice and support to take them regularly and monitor their effects.
The aim is to make sure your medicines are safe, effective and appropriate for you. Any decisions about changes will be made with you.
Who can use this service?
Our service may be helpful if you take several medicines or have concerns about your medicines. This might include:
- Taking a large number of medicines or feeling overwhelmed by managing them.
- Taking medicines that may no longer be suitable for you.
- Experiencing side effects or problems caused by interactions between medicines.
- Finding it difficult to decide which medicines are best for you.
- Having concerns about becoming dependent on prescribed medicines.
- Having frequent hospital admissions related to your medicines.
- Any other concerns about your medicines, or if a family member or carer is worried about them.
Our team can help you review your medicines, discuss any concerns and work with you to find the best approach for your needs.
Before the appointment
Please make a list of all the medicines you take. Include:
- Medicines prescribed by your doctor or another healthcare professional.
- Medicines you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or shop.
- Vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies.
If possible, bring your list with you to the appointment.
You are welcome to ask a friend or family member to support you during your appointment.
Before your appointment, your doctor will review your medical records to understand your health conditions and the medicines you take.
Questions to think about before your appointment
You may find it helpful to think about the following questions before your first appointment. You might also want to to discuss them with a friend or family member.
- What would you like to get out of your appointment?
- Are any of your medicines causing problems or side effects?
- Do you find it difficult to take any of your medicines?
- Do you have any questions or concerns about your medicines?
You do not need to have answers to all these questions before your appointment. They ar simply a starting point for our discussion.
During your appointment
Your appointment take place either face-to-face or by telephone. You can choose your preferred option when speaking with your GP or healthcare professional when they make the referral. If you did not get a chance to make the decision, or you would like to change how you are seen, please contact us at the telephone number at the bottom of this page.
We will start by asking what matters most to you and what you would like to discuss. This is helpful to shape the decisions about your medicines that we will make together. We will also address any particular concerns or questions raised by the referrer. We will then discuss your other medicines to make sure we have covered everything.
After our discussion we will provide a written record of the discussion in a clinic letter so you can refer back to what was agreed.
After your appointment
If we agreed that changes to your medicines would be helpful, we will inform your GP so that any necessary changes to your prescription can be arranged.
We will offer you a follow-up appointment if needed.
Contact Details
Secretaries: 0208 725 3502 or 3503