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A case study: inappropriate use of amitriptyline in the elderly
Tonia K Helton1, Alicia R McGrain, Joshua K Muliira
1Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Geriatric Nursing (New York, N.Y.)
|October 11, 2005
Summary
Nearly 7 million older adults received inappropriate medications in 1999, with amitriptyline being a common culprit. Educating prescribers on Beer's Criteria is crucial for safer geriatric prescribing practices.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Pharmacology
- Medication Safety
- Clinical Pharmacy
Background:
- Inappropriate medication prescribing poses significant risks to the elderly population.
- Beer's Criteria is a widely recognized tool for identifying potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs).
Observation:
- In 1999, approximately 7 million elderly individuals were prescribed medications identified as potentially inappropriate by Beer's Criteria.
- Amitriptyline was frequently identified as one of the most inappropriately prescribed drugs in this population.
Findings:
- A substantial number of elderly patients received PIMs, highlighting a critical issue in geriatric care.
- The frequent prescription of amitriptyline underscores the need for targeted interventions.
Implications:
- Educational interventions focused on Beer's Criteria are necessary to improve prescribing habits for older adults.
- Healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, must be vigilant regarding the adverse effects of PIMs in geriatric patients.