Introduction: Polypharmacy is defined as the consumption of 5 or more medications simultaneously in a day, including over-the-counter medications, therefore, it is considered a constant concern in the elderly due to the health problems it triggers.8 In Mexico, 65% to 94% of the elderly consume some type of drug, and 25% of older adults between 65 and 70 years of age have side reactions. 23 It has also been reported that 50% of drugs are responsible for hospital admissions. 12 As life expectancy increases in Mexico to 78 years for women and 73 years for men (INEGI, 2018)27,18theprevalence of polypharmacy increases. Recent studies have indicated that, globally, the prevalence of polypharmacy will increase as the population ages and more people suffer from multiple chronic diseases. 21,24 Hence the importance of prioritizing awareness of the problems associated with inappropriate polypharmacy. In the state of Guerrero, heart diseases such as arterial hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are among the five main causes of mortality in older adults, leading to a gradual deterioration of all biological functions, to which are added other characteristics of age and the need for excessive consumption of drugs. Polypharmacy can be prevented using pharmacovigilance, as well as the Official Mexican Standard 220 SSA1 2002. Installation and operation of pharmacovigilance, which aims to contribute to the rational use of medicines. Therefore, our Objective: To determine the prevalence and polypharmaceutical consumption, as well as the classification of the most used medications and to identify the rational use by older adults attending a health center in Chilpancingo, Guerrero. Material and methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive, qualitative, and observational study was conducted with a sample of 66 older adults, conducted from February to July 2022, in the city of Chilpancingo, Guerrero. Results: The prevalence of polypharmaceutical consumption is 54.5%, it occurred more frequently in the age range of 60-74 years; female sex and primary educational level predominated, the most used medications were analgesics with 71.2%, antihypertensives with 62.1% as well as antihypoglycemic drugs with 63.6%, 59.1% consumed gastric mucosal protector. 51.5% laxatives, 53% antibiotics and 31.8% diuretics. The diseases most related to polypharmacy were chronic degenerative diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Most patients with polypharmacy showed limitation in the sense of sight with 41%.
