Review article
Geriatric Dental Patients and Pharmacotherapy
Ileana Linčir
; Katedra za farmakologiju Stomatološki fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Kata Rošin-Grget
; Katedra za farmakologiju Stomatološki fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
Many factors can change the response to drugs in the elderly. First there are physiological changes as a result of changes in the body composition and function of organs. Many of them are a consequence of the essentially normal aging process. They can lead to altered drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Second, pathological factors that can influence drug effects are commoner in the elderly. Increased drug usage contributes to more adverse reactions and drug-interacti- ons. Poor patient compliance is assumed to be the third major source of drug therapy errors and consequently adverse drug reactions. The physician must provide adequate management of drug therapy in the elderly, adjusting the dose to possible alterations of age-related pharmacokinetic changes and avoiding multiple medications whenever possible, bearing in mind the possibility of interactions and side effects.
Keywords
drugs in the elderly; geriatric therapy
Hrčak ID:
97563
URI
Publication date:
15.3.1999.
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