Lecture #3 Flashcards
Geropharm Background
65+ largest consumer of medications
12% of population
1/3 of medication consumers
1/2 of OTCs
94% take Rx meds
46% take OTCs
53% take supplements
most common Rx med in older adults:
CV
diuretics
non-opioid analgesics
anticoagulants
antiepileptics
most common OTCs meds in older adults:
GI
analgesics
cough products
eye washes
vitamins
study of the movement and actions of a drug in the body: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
pharmacokinetics
aging changes affecting: absorption
increased: gastric pH
decreased: surface for absorption, blood flow to SPLEEN, GI activity
aging changes affecting: distribution
increased: body fat
decreased: cardiac output, total body H2O, LEAN body mass, serum albumin, and protein binding
aging changes affecting: metabolism
increased: body FAT
decreased: hepatic mass, hepatic blood flow, enzyme activity, and enzyme inductability
aging changes affecting: excretion
decreased: renal blood flow, GFR, tubular secretory function, and kidney size
think = TOXICITY!!
physiological processes between drug and body
the older a person gets, the more likely they will have an alteration or unreliable response to drug
less reliable and more unpredictable
pharmacodynamics
What is decreased in normal aging?
baroreceptor response
myocardial sensitivity to catecholamines (nor-epi, epi)
response of a-adrenergic system
what are the increased sensitivity to anticholinergic effects?
can’t…
- SEE (blurry vision)
- PEE (urinary retention)
can’t…
-SPIT (dry mouth)
- SH…POOP (constipation)
also, confusion and dizziness
what are the increased sensitivity to diuretics?
reduce baroreceptor response – higher risk of orthostatic hypotension
what are the increased sensitivity to beta agonist and antagonists?
reduced effects due to alterations in adrenergic system activity
taking multiple medications at same time:
20% 65+ adults take 10+ meds
more meds take in LTC facilities
disabled have higher %
increased risk for drug interactions
increased risk of adverse events
polypharmacy
what are the drug-supplement interactions? echinacea
risk of bleeding; digoxin level altered)
what are the drug-supplement interactions? garlic
risk of bleeding; monitor glucose
what are the drug-supplement interactions? Ginkgo
risk of bleeding; several meds contraindicated; monitor glucose
what are the drug-supplement interactions? Ginseng
risk of bleeding; several meds contraindicated
what are the drug-supplement interactions? red yeast rice
risk of bleeding; monitor glucose
what are the drug-supplement interactions? St. john’s wart
several med contraindicated
What are some food-drug interactions?
Ca+ binds to some meds (reduces absorption)
grapefruit (increases or decreases bioavailability)
green leafy veggies (contain vitamin K, antidote to warfarin, keep intake consistent)
high K+ diet (K+ sparing diuretics, risk of hyperkalemia, keep intake consistent)
may affect absorption
what happens with drug-drug interactions?
increase with polypharmacy
competition for receptor sites (triangle in bioavailability)
antispasmodics slow GI motility (competition for plasma proteins to bind to)
altered metabolism
triangle in pH
alterations in renal tubules > prolonging half life of some meds
similar SEs or MOAs (simultaneous sedative effects)
what are some high risk for medication errors?
occluded tube
reduced drug effect
drug toxicity
patient harm
patient death
What do you need to know about adverse drug reactions? (ADRs)
not just a SE
one drug or from two (or more) drugs together)
reactions causing or potentially causing harm
sometimes predictable (can be proactive)
sometimes unpredictable (allergic reactions, bleeding risk)
often overlooked in older adults
prevention (lover dosages, “start low, go slow, but go”
drugs identified to have a higher than usual risk when used in older adults
overwhelming benefit vs. risk documentation when prescribing these drugs considered a standard of practice
use as guide, not absolute direction
“safety alert: do not use list”
Beer’s List
(not an absolute! can’t always be avoided. collaborate w/ provider to reduce or change to other options when possible)
what are the psychotherapeutics in late life?
1.) antidepressants
2.) anxiolytic agents
3.) mood stabilizers
4.) antipsychotics
What are some antidepressants?
SSRIs
SNRIs
SSRIs: what neurotransmitter?
Serotonin
Selective SEROTONIN reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs):
first line
work well in older
small doses effective
often have sexual side effects –> switch to SNRIs
SNRIs: what neurotransmitter?
Serotonin
Nor-epinephrine
SEROTONIN & NOR-EPI reuptake inhibitor (SNRIs)
second line
less sexual side effects
Bupropion (Wellbutrin): reduces nicotine dependency as well
Trazodone: also used as a sleep aid
What is serotonin syndrome?
excessive amounts of serotonin can cause this. It is characterized by an altered mental status, high fever, sweating, and clonus. Clonus is an involuntary, rhythmic muscle contraction.
Benzodiazepines:
ends in “am”
highly effective
fast onset but long half life
side effects: drowsiness, confusion, dizziness, impaired coordination (increasing risk for falls and accidents), depression, and increased anxiety