Session 4_Drug Dosing In Elderly Flashcards
What is the primary question to consider when prescribing for elderly patients?
Whether a drug is necessary at all.
How much more frequently are adverse drug reactions (ADRs) observed in geriatric patients compared to younger adults?
2-3 times more frequently.
What are the two key issues contributing to adverse drug reactions in elderly individuals?
Multimorbidity and polypharmacy.
What is the goal for drug regimes in elderly patients?
1 or 2 treatments per day should be the goal.
What is the impact of age on drug absorption?
Little evidence of major alteration, but conditions like diabetic gastroparesis may alter absorption rates.
What changes in body composition affect drug distribution in the elderly?
Reduced lean body mass and reduced body water.
Does liver metabolism capacity decline consistently with age for all drugs?
No, it does not appear to decline consistently.
Which organ is primarily responsible for drug clearance from the body?
Kidney.
What is the most important pharmacokinetic change in the elderly?
Reduction in renal drug elimination.
What is the relationship between renal function decline and adverse drug reactions in the elderly?
The decline in renal function is closely related to the incidence of adverse drug reactions.
What should be considered when prescribing drugs for the elderly?
Necessity for drugs, dose, drug formulation, and potential side effects.
What is the incidence of ADRs for patients aged >50 years taking 1 or 2 medicines?
0.05
What happens to the incidence of ADRs when more than 5 medicines are prescribed to elderly patients?
Increases to 20%.
List the most frequent drug classes causing adverse drug reactions in elderly patients.
- Cardiovascular active agents
- Analgesics
- Antibiotics
- Hypoglycemic agents
- Psychotropic agents
- Anticoagulants
What should be taken into account when adding a new drug to an elderly patient’s regimen?
Think before adding a new drug.
Fill in the blank: The reduction in renal drug excretion in old age can be compensated by correcting the maintenance dose, D, by the factor _______.
[Q].
True or False: Elderly patients are believed to be less sensitive to the action of many drugs.
False.
What is one key rule regarding stopping medications in elderly patients?
Stopping is as important as starting.
