Polypharmacy prescribing guidance - draft: consultation

We are consulting on this draft updated polypharmacy prescribing guidance. 'Appropriate Prescribing - Making medicines safe, effective and sustainable 2025-2028' aims to further improve the care of individuals taking multiple medicines through the use of 7-Steps medicine reviews and promotes a holistic approach to person-centred care.

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10. Abbreviations

ACB Anticholinergic burdenACE Angiotensin Converting Enzyme

ACEI Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor(s)

Ach Acetylcholine

ACS Acute Coronary Syndrome

ADR Adverse Drug Reaction

AF Atrial Fibrillation

AKI Acute Kidney Injury

AMR Antimicrobial Resistance

ARB Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist

ASB Asymptomatic Bacteriuria

ASM Antiseizure medications

BMD Bone mineral density

BMI Body Mass Index

BNF British National Formulary

BNP Brain Natriuretic Peptide Test

BP Blood Pressure

BPM Beats per Minute

CI Confidence Interval

CCBs Calcium Channel Blockers

CHA2DS2-VASc Score for Atrial Fibrillation Stroke Risk

CHD Coronary Heart Disease

CHF Congestive Heart Failure

CHI Community Health Index

CKD Chronic Kidney Disease

CNS Central Nervous System

COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

CrCl Creatinine Clearance

CSCI Continuous subcutaneous infusion

CVD Cardiovascular Disease

DMARDs Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs

T2DM Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

DN4 Douleur Neuropathique 4

DOAC Direct Acting Oral Anticoagulant

ECG Electrocardiogram

ECHO Echocardiogram

eGFR Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate

g Gram (unit of measurement)

GI Gastro-intestinal

GTN Glyceryl Trinitrate

HbA1C glycated haemoglobin

HCP Healthcare professionals

HDL High-density lipoprotein

hHF Hospitalisation for heart failure

HF Heart Failure

IHD Ischaemic Heart Disease

INR International Normalised Ratio

ISD Information Services Division

iSIMPATHY Implementing Stimulating Innovation in the Management of Polypharmacy and Adherence Through the Years

KIS Key Information Summary

L2 2nd Lumbar Vertebrae

LGS Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome

LFTs Liver Function Tests

LVEF Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

LVSD Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction

MACE Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events

MAI Medication Appropriateness Index

MAOIs Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

MDT Multidisciplinary team

mg Milligram (unit of measurement)

MHRA Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

MI Myocardial Infarction

MMSE Mini-Mental State Examination

MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging

NCSE Non-convulsive status epilepticus

NICE The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

NNH Number Needed to Harm

NNT Number Needed to Treat

Non-STEMI Non ST-elevation myocardial infarction

NSAID Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

NTI National Therapeutic Indicator

NYHA New York Heart Association (Functional Classification)

OTC Over the counter

PADL Penicillin allergy de-labelling

PC-MAI Person-Centred Medication Appropriateness Index

PGx Pharmacogenomics

PIMs Potentially inappropriate medications

PIS Prescribing Information System

PNS Peripheral nervous system

POA Power of Attorney

PPIs Proton Pump Inhibitors

QALY Quality Adjusted Life Year

QTc Corrected QT Interval

SIGN Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network

SIMPATHY Stimulating Innovation Management of Polypharmacy and Adherence in the Elderly

S-LANSS Self-reported Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs

SMR01 Scottish Morbidity Record (Covers General Acute Inpatient and Day)

SPARRA Scottish Patients at Risk of Re-admission or admission

SPC Summary of Product Characteristics

SR Systematic Review

SSDD Symptoms of stress and distress in dementia

SSRI Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

STEMI ST-elevation myocardial infarction

STU Scottish Therapeutics Utility

TCA Tricyclic Antidepressants

T Score Bone Density Score

TFT Thyroid Function Test

UTI Urinary Tract Infection

U&E Urea & Electrolyte Profile

Contact

Email: EPandT@gov.scot

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