Week 3 Pharmacology in the Aging Adult Flashcards
what are some definitions of polypharmacy
many drugs together, excessive medications given, or misuse of medications.
TF: older adults do not consume more drugs than younger people
false, they do consume more drugs as compared to younger.
why might older adults take more medications
- more illness,
- more adverse drug reactions,
- doctors give prescriptions rather than non-pharmacological options
- many providers give many drugs
- share meds in the homes, and between friends
what is the polypharmacy cycle
more illness in older adults, need to take more drugs increased side effects side effects are viewed as symptoms, given more drugs and so on and so forth
what are some key signs of polypharmacy
- meds used for no reasons
- duplicate meds
- concurrent use of interacting meds
- self-dosed
- inappropriate dosing
- patient gets better when they stop using the drugs
what are pharmacokinetic changes
how the body handles the drugs. how it is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, excreted.
what are some distribution pharmacokinetic changes with drugs
changes in total body water, lean body mass, percent body fat and plasma protein concentrations
what do pharmacokinetic changes result in
drugs and drug metabolites remain active for longer periods of time and prolong the effects of the drugs. Can lead to toxicity.
what are pharmacodynamic changes
how the drugs affect the body, so changes in physiologic, cellular, and biochemical changes
what are some physiologic systemic changes
homeostatic control of circulation, impaired postural control, decreased visceral muscle function, changes in thermoregulation, declining cognitive ability.
what are some cellular level changes
binding receptors change, and you can increased or decreased sensitivity
what are some biochemical response changes
sub cellular structure and function changes.
what are some common ADR
adverse drug reactions include
- GI symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (opioids, non-opioids, NSAIDS)
- sedation (opioids, analgesics, antipsychotics, sedative-hypnotics)
- confusion (antidepressants, narcotic analgesics)
- depression (barbiturates, antipsychotics, alcohol and hypertensive drugs)
- OH
- fatigue and weakness (relaxants and diuretics)
- dizziness and falls (sedatives, antipsychotic, opioids, antihistamines)
what are anticholinergic effects
alters the responses to acetylcholine, with antihistamines, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. can cause confusion, nervousness, drowsiness, dizziness, and dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention and tachy. blurred vision
what are extrapyramidal symptoms
dystopias, tardive dyskinesia, pseudoparkinsonisms, like with antipsychotics.
