Drug interactions in the elderly |
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| Authors: | Roger J. Cadieux |
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| Affiliation: | Dr Cadieux is vice president, Mental Health Services, Capital Health System, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and assistant professor, department of psychiatry, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey. He is a practicing geriatric psychiatrist whose professional focus is the development of consultative and educational programs that enhance the care of the elderly by the many professionals who interact with this age-group. |
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| Abstract: | Because of the changes in metabolism that come with aging, some drugs stay in the body of an elderly person more than twice as long as in a younger counterpart. Add to this fact the many chronic diseases of the elderly that are treated with drugs, and the risk of drug interactions becomes clear. Dr Cadieux reviews the many predisposing factors for drug interaction and recommends that as many drugs be withdrawn from these patients as can be done safely. |
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