[Drug utilization in 3 nursing homes for somatic patients]

An investigation was carried out of the drug-use of 198 patients in three nursing homes. Almost 80% of the patients used 2 to 7 drugs. The average number of drugs per patient relating to regular medications for internal use was 4,36. It was 5,25 when p.r.n. medications and medications for external use were also included. The most frequently used drugs were psychotropics, analgetics, cardiac drugs, diuretics and laxatives. Combinations of drugs (including alcohol) that can lead to interaction, were often prescribed. The following combinations were found to have the highest frequency: two drugs with anticholinergic action, digoxin with a potassium-loosing diuretic, two or more drugs which can cause hypotension. The number of patients with one or more of these combinations as well as the number of combinations per patient increased in correspondence with drug-use per patient.