Use and abuse of drugs in the elderly

1. Study of 100 patients admitted to the Geriatric Assessment Unit, to evaluate the appropriateness of drug therapy in the elderly. 2. Average patient took 5.15 drugs at admission and 3.67 drugs at discharge. 3. Inaccurate dosages found in 14%, drug-drug interaction in 31%, drug contraindications were evident in 23% and at least one unnecessary drug was prescribed in 39% patients at admission. 4. At discharge, 8% cases had potential drug-drug interaction and 2% received unnecessary drugs.