[Special characteristics of psychopharmacotherapy of elderly patients]

While mental disorders in the elderly can often be treated by non-medical means, suicidal ideation or agitation may require the use of psychotropic agents. Since pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics change with increasing age of the patient, there are a number of particular features of the use of psychotropic drugs in the elderly that urgently need to be taken into account. Geriatric patients usually require only about one-half the dose needed by younger patients, and not only the side effects of psychotropic drug treatment but also, and in particular, possible interactions with other medications must also receive appropriate consideration.