prescribing in old age

Question 1

what sort of environment do acidic drugs need for absorption?

Answer 1

acidic

basic drugs need basic

Question 2

increase in gastric PH does what to the small bowel

Answer 2

decreases the surface area

Question 3

albumin usually binds to acidic drugs- why is this a problem in older people?

Answer 3

they have less albumin

Question 4

what happens to the therapeutic window with age?

Answer 4

it gets smaller

Question 5

what are the polypharmacy principles?

Answer 5

review meds regulary
avoid treating side effects with more drugs
try give something that will treat more then one problem

if stable- use combination therapies

Question 6

what is constipation made worse by?

Answer 6

calcium and calcium channel blockers

Question 7

what type of foods react with ACEi and ARBS

Answer 7

K+ rich foods- bananas, oranges, green leafy veg

Question 8

what type of drugs interact with warfarin?

Answer 8

Vit K and E - apples, chickpeas, spinach, kiwi, brochaooli

Question 9

mirtazepine is used to treat what?

Answer 9

depression

Question 10

what is zoiclone for?

Answer 10

sleeping

Question 11

can paracetamol reduce agitation in dementia

Answer 11

yes