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Avoiding Overmedication of Elderly Patients
Jorge G. Ruiz1, Samir Array, David T. Lowenthal
1East Tennessee University School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN.
American Journal of Therapeutics
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Overmedication in the elderly involves inappropriate drug use, often ignoring age-related changes and leading to adverse effects. Strategies to prevent this harmful practice are essential for patient safety and effective treatment.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Overmedication in the elderly is a significant issue, extending polypharmacy.
- It arises from ignoring age-related physiological changes, drug interactions, and incorrect prescribing practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define overmedication in the elderly.
- To identify causes and consequences of overmedication.
- To discuss prevention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on geriatric pharmacotherapy.
- Analysis of factors contributing to inappropriate drug use in older adults.
- Synthesis of evidence-based prevention recommendations.
Main Results:
- Overmedication can result from unaddressed pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic changes and drug interactions.
- Consequences include adverse drug reactions, increased costs, and noncompliance.
- It affects elderly individuals across various care settings.
Conclusions:
- Preventing overmedication requires a comprehensive approach addressing prescribing habits and patient-specific factors.
- Interventions should focus on appropriate drug selection, dosage, and monitoring.
- Addressing overmedication is crucial for improving health outcomes in the elderly.