[Neuroleptics in geriatrics. Pharmacological criteria for a responsible choice and a correct use]

Elderly patients are very vulnerable to the effects of neuroleptic drugs. By a right choice and an adequate individual dosage adjustment many side-effects can be avoided. Pharmacological data can provide a useful tool to achieve this. They can predict the possibility of cardiovascular, parasympathicolytic and hypnosedative side-effects. Extrapyramidal side-effects induced by neuroleptic treatment can almost always be overcome by dosage-adjustment. Potent neuroleptics, with a specific mode of action, are to be preferred as antipsychotic agents especially in the elderly.