Drugs and Polypharmacy Flashcards
1
Q
What are some of the medical problems that can arrise from polypharmacy in elderly patients?
A
Falls
Dehydration
Cognitive loss/delirium
Incontinence
Depression
2
Q
What happens to rate of drug absoprtion in elderly patients?
A
Decreases
3
Q
What two factors affect the distribution of drugs in the elderly?
A
Body compisition (more fat, less water)
Decreased protein binding meaning more unbound drug meaning greater affect on target organs
4
Q
How does drug metabolism change in the elderly?
A
Decreased
5
Q
What happens to drug excretion in the elderly?
A
Reduced
6
Q
Which drugs cause the most ADR’s in the elderly?
A
NSAIDS
Diuretics
Warfarin
ACEi’s
Antidepressants
