A tool for safer prescribing in vulnerable adults: The continuing development of the Medichec app and website

Delia Bishara*, Sahar Riaz, Justin Sauer, Christoph Mueller, Siobhan Gee, David Taylor, Robyn Jenia Wilcha, Millie Edwards, Nirja Beehuspoteea, Anne Marie Bonnici Mallia, Jennifer Brook, Bharathi Balasundaram, Daniel Harwood, Nicola Funnell, Andre Strydom, Robert Stewart

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Aims and method Adverse effects are a common concern when prescribing and reviewing medication, particularly in vulnerable adults such as older people and those with intellectual disability. This paper describes the development of an app giving information on side-effects, called Medichec, and provides a description of the processes involved in its development and how drugs were rated for each side-effect. Medications with central anticholinergic action, dizziness, drowsiness, hyponatraemia, QTc prolongation, bleeding and constipation were identified using the British National Formulary (BNF) and frequency of occurrence of these effects was determined using the BNF, product information and electronic searches, including PubMed. Results Medications were rated using a traffic light system according to how commonly the adverse effect was known to occur or the severity of the effect. Clinical implications Medichec can facilitate access to side-effects information for multiple medications, aid clinical decision-making, optimise treatment and improve patient safety in vulnerable adults.

Original languageEnglish
JournalBJPsych Bulletin
Early online date6 Sept 2023
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 6 Sept 2023

Keywords

  • anticholinergic
  • dementia
  • medication
  • Medichec
  • side-effects

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