ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence and the hazard of polypharmacy in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with different CKD stages in an Egyptian nephrology clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was performed between November and December 2021 in a private nephrology clinic in Egypt. Patients diagnosed with CKD were included in the study. They were classified into 5 stages following KDIGO classification. Medications taken were assessed, classified, and distributed according to CKD stage. RESULTS: 199 patients were included in the study; their ages ranged from 19 to 87 years. Approximately 30% of the patients had stage 5 CKD. Upon medication analysis, all patients were exposed to polypharmacy and had associated comorbidities. Dietary supplements and anti-hypertensive medications were the most frequently used. CONCLUSION: Polypharmacy seems to be inevitable in CKD patients specially those who have associated comorbidities which could be managed through proper clinical pharmacy services to minimize medication hazards.
