Medication in the Elderly

Medication usage is very common in the elderly. Many elderly patients are on multiple medications for various chronic conditions. Because the elderly has diminished capacity of drug metabolism extreme care should be exercised in prescribing medications for the elderly because aging changes pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.

On the average, an elderly patient takes about 5-6 drugs at a time, and some over the counter medication.

Drug use is exceptionally high in nursing home and hospitalized elderly patient.

The most common problem or problems that require medication in the elderly are:

• Cardiovascular - Hypertension
• Joints - Arthritis
• Diabetes
• Lungs
• Gastrointestinal
• Anti-psychotic - sedative hypnotics

Because one, two or three medications may be used to treat any of the above and sometimes patient may have all six problems, polypharmacy has become a norm for the elderly patient.

Always discuss with the family physician if any of the medications need to be discontinued or not. Any new behavioral change in the elderly patient out of the ordinary should call attention to medication first. Having said that certain medications may be underused in the elderly e.g.