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polypharmacy

American  
[pol-ee-fahr-muh-see] / ˌpɒl iˈfɑr mə si /

noun

Pharmacology.
  1. the use of two or more drugs together, usually to treat a single condition or disease.


Etymology

Origin of polypharmacy

First recorded in 1755–65; poly- + pharmacy


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

She also found that rates of polypharmacy, or when an individual takes five or more drugs at the same time, have risen to alarming levels.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2023

Instances of polypharmacy do not always begin with a diagnosis of A.D.H.D.

From New York Times ● Aug. 27, 2022

Among their results found rising rates of use of common medications and increase rates of polypharmacy.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 13, 2018

The work is part of a provocative and growing body of research that documents how polypharmacy — the use of multiple prescription drugs at the same time — has risen in the United States.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 12, 2018

Those who practised polypharmacy administered at night a mixture of nitre, camphor, red-lead, and rhubarb, in half a pailful of warm water; and greatly did they boast of the active influence of this beverage.

From On the cattle plague: or, Contagious typhus in horned cattle. Its history, origin, description, and treatment by Honor? Bourguignon

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