Aged Patients and Use of Nonprescription Drugs

Abstract

Abstract:Elderly patients over 65, especially those over 75 years are more vulnerable to being prescribed inappropriate medications because of the high incidence of co-medication in this population resulting from the presence of multiple chronic diseases and also age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The aim at this study was to explore the habits of taking medications without recommendation fracture among older patients, to determine which medications are most often used without prescription, and if there is difference in this habits considering gender and age of respondents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing all patients ≥ 65 years that have arrived from 01.10. to 15.12.2015 in one ambulance of the Health Center of Mostar using the adapted questionnaire made out for the research. 90 questionnaires were properly filled for analysis, 60.0% were women and 40.0% of them were men. There was 45.6% respondents between 65 and 75 years, and 54.4% 76 years and above. Resaults: 15.6% of respondents said that they don't take their therapy regularly. Women compared to men, significantly more often use non-prescription drugs (P = 0.007). Analgesics and sedatives are more often used as non-prescription drugs, compare to supplements (P = 0.002). Conclusion: This study, although conducted on a small sample should be an alarm for general practitioners. They should think more about adverse effects of drugs on the aged, and use Beers criteria in every day practice. In addition, pharmacists should respect the legislation and not sell drugs without doctor's prescription to which it applies.