General Aspects of Drug Management in the Geriatric Patient

Nermin KARAKURTa , Hacer DOĞAN VARANa

aGazi University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Ankara, Türkiye

ABSTRACT
Chronic diseases and polypharmacy increase with age. Physiological reserves and body composition changes that occur with aging affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs. Polypharmacy reduces medication compliance in older people and increases the risk of inappropriate use of medications, adverse drug reactions, drug-drug interactions, falls, cognitive and functional decline, hospitalization, and mortality. Therefore, when organizing drug therapy for older patients, it is essential to review all medications, including any inappropriate herbal use, and organize drug therapy taking into account the individual’s medical and social characteristics. To optimize drug treatment in older patients, it is important to check the treatment scheme for efficacy, identify any inappropriate drugs, drug interactions, and side effects, determine if there are drugs with indications but not prescribed, and inform the patient of any expected side effects.
Keywords: Polypharmacy; drug management; inappropriate medication; elderly

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