Basic Principles of Rational Use of Drug in the Elderly

Ahmet AKICIa , Onur GÜLTEKİNa , Caner VIZDIKLARa

aMarmara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Pharmacology, İstanbul, Türkiye

ABSTRACT
Age-related physiological alterations and their pathological outcomes increase the impact of drug use in elderly and its rational management. Efforts to amplify rational use of drug (RUD) among elderly have gained momentum worldwide, particularly in countries with large elderly population and aging ones like Türkiye. Reasons such as increased burden of diseases and costs, polypharmacy, adverse effects, administration and posology issues necessitate need for rational management of each step, including discovery, production, prescribing, utilization and disposal of drugs, with a focus on elderly. The drugs are expected to be used in doses meeting individual requirements of this vulnerable population, for an adequate period, and at lowest cost to themselves and community. RUD principles recommend a systematic pharmacotherapy approach, including diagnosing the patient accurately, determining treatment goals, selecting treatment with proven efficacy and safety, prescribing appropriately, initiating pharmacotherapy with clear information and instructions to the patient, monitoring and evaluating results, respectively.
Keywords: Rational use of drug (RUD); elderly; pharmacotherapy; prescribing

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