drug therapy in the elderly
Last reviewed 01/2018
Drug therapy in the elderly must take account of the following:
- polypharmacy for multiple pathology
- adverse drug reactions two to three fold increased above the levels in younger people
- compliance problems
Factors to be aware of:
- frailty
- severity of illness
- helplessness
- appetite and nutrition
- fluid intake
- immobility
- multiple illness
- confusion
- lack of care