Pharmacology Flashcards
Amiodarone. What’s the concern in the elderly?
QT prolongation. and torsade de pointes
Amitriptyline. What’s the concern in the elderly?
strong anticholinergic and sedating properties.
Use a different antidepressant which is safer.
amphetamines and anorexics. What’s the concern in the elderly?
increase risk of HTN, angina and MI. Also cause dependence.
anticholinergics and antihistamines. What’s the concern in the elderly?
high anticholinergic load. causes risk of cognitive impairment in the elderly.
nonanticholinergic antihistamines are preferred.
barbiturates. (CNS depressants) What’s the concern in the elderly?
higher incidence of adverse effects than other sedatives and hypnotics. can also cause dependence.
Benzodiazepines. What’s the concern in the elderly?
Don’t use short acting (loraz, oxaz, alpraz, temaz) as can cause dependence and cognitive impairment. use long acting (diaz, fluraz), only for short periods of time.
chlorpropamide. What’s the concern in the elderly?
longer half life in elderly –> prolonged hypoglycaemia.
digoxin. What’s the concern in the elderly?
decreased renal excretion –> dig toxicity
disopyramide. What’s the concern in the elderly?
strongly anticholinergic. decreases cardiac output and can –> cardiac failure.
doxepin. What’s the concern in the elderly?
anticholinergic and sedating. use other antidepressants.
fluoxetine, What’s the concern in the elderly?
longer half life –> increased CNS stimulation –> insomnia, agitation. use other antidepressants.
indomethacin, What’s the concern in the elderly?
produces more CNS adverse effects than other NSAIDs
ms relaxants like oxybutynin, What’s the concern in the elderly?
anticholinergic adverse effects, weakness, sedation
nifedipine, What’s the concern in the elderly?
may cause hypotension and constipation
nitrofurantoin, What’s the concern in the elderly?
may worsen renal impairment.
