Adverse Drug Reactions in the Elderly

Can We Stem the Tide?

Shari J. Lynn

Am Nurs Journal. 2012;7(1)

Polypharmacy and Drug Interactions

Taking multiple drugs for multiple health conditions increases the risk of ADRs, especially in older adults. Although polypharmacy can be appropriate in cases of multiple comorbidities, prescribers must consider older adults' physiologic changes in organ function due to aging and disease. For instance, many elderly patients are prescribed warfarin concurrently with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or a lipid-lowering agent. This combination may increase the risk of bleeding (already increased by use of warfarin alone). But be aware that although elderly patients are at increased risk for ADRs, experts don't know what roles normal aging, comorbidities, and polypharmacy play in ADR incidence.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Next Section

Abstract and Introduction
Incidence of ADRs
Defining and Classifying ADRs
Polypharmacy and Drug Interactions
Drug Interactions: Pharmacokinetic vs Pharmacodynamic
Beers Criteria
Know Your Professional Responsibility
Obtaining Medication History From an Older Adult
References

Defining terms
An unexpected adverse reaction is a reaction whose nature or severity isn't consistent with the drug's current labeling. A side effect is an unintended effect that occurs at normal drug dosages and relates to the drug's properties. An adverse event or experience is a medical occurrence that may arise during treatment but doesn't have a causal relationship with the drug in question. A serious adverse event is a fatal, life-threatening, or permanently disabling event that requires extensive hospitalization, leads to a congenital anomaly, or requires an intervention to avert permanent impairment or damage. A signal is an observed possible adverse event that is unknown or wasn't previously documented.

Comments

Commenting is limited to medical professionals. To comment please Log-in.

Comments on Medscape are moderated and should be professional in tone and on topic. You must declare any conflicts of interest related to your comments and responses. Please see our Commenting Guide for further information. We reserve the right to remove posts at our sole discretion.