Older Adult Pharmacology Flashcards
What increases in older adults that affects medications?
Total body fat and decrease in lean muscle mass
What decreases in older adults that affects medications?
Gastric emptying, total water weight, and liver/renal function
What meds can cause GI disturbances?
Narcotics
NSAIDs
Antibiotics
Anti Parkinson’s
What meds can cause Orthostatic hypotension?
Beta blocker
Nitrates
Diuretics
Anti Parkinson’s
Antidepressants
Narcotics
What is the main med that causes fatigue and weakness?
Statins
What meds can cause depression?
Antipsychotics
Barbiturates
Antihypertensive
Antidepressants
What is akathisia?
Inner restlessness
What are cholinergic meds used to treat?
Glaucoma
Myasthenia gravis
Alzheimer’s
GI and bladder atonia
What are anticholinergic meds used for?
Eyes
Parkinson’s (decrease tremor)
Respiratory tract
Urinary tract (incontinence)
What are symptoms of NSAIDs?
GI distress
Hepatic and renal toxicity
Hypertension
Confusion
Impaired bone healing
Skin rashes
Bleeding
What are symptoms of benzos?
Confusion, slurred speech, Dyspnea, incoordination, and weakness
What are symptoms of anti anxiety meds?
Drowsiness in AM
Hypotension
Cognitive impairment
What are the best benzos to give elderly adults with hepatic/renal dysfunction?
Lorazepam
Oxazepam
What are the extrapyramidal effects of meds in the older adult?
Akathisia
Dystonia
Pseudoparkinsonism
Dyskinesia
Why would extrapyramidal effects happen in older adults?
Over medication for Parkinson’s disease
What meds are likely to cause dizziness/falls?
Opioid analgesics
Anti psychotics
Antihypertensive
Nitrates
Diuretics
Sedatives
Antihistamines
