Drug Hazards in the Elderly

Davison, Will

doi:10.1159/000244908

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 3 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Adverse drug reactions are more common in the elderly than in the young (Hurwitz, 1969). Whilst patient error (Harman, 1971), multiple diseases inviting polypharmacy (Davison, 1971), increased tissue sensitivity (Hall, Ettinger & Banting, 1936), and a lowering of the threshold to activate receptors (Chen & Brown Robbins, 1943) may account for some of these adverse drug reactions, they are more likely to be due to an increase in the concentration of circulating drug. Such an increase could result from decreased efficiency of drug metabolizing enzymes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of age on plasma levels of propranolol and practolol in man.

Castleden¹,

Kaye²,

Parsons³

1975

Brit J Clinical Pharma

137

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

1Plasma levels of propranolol and practolol were measured in groups of elderly and young subjects, after the oral administration of propranolol (40 mg) and practolol (200 mg) on separate occasions. 2 At all sampling times the mean plasma propranolol level in the group of elderly subjects was substantially greater than the corresponding level in the group of young subjects, there being a significant difference between the two, and a fourfold difference in the mean peak levels. 3 After practolol, there was no significant difference between the mean plasma concentrations of the drug in the two groups for the first 2 hours. Subsequently, the mean plasma levels in the group of elderly subjects were somewhat higher than the corresponding levels in the young group, the differences between the two reaching significance. 4 It is suggested that there is a need to substantially reduce the dose of propranolol given to elderly patients. With practolol, however, no reduction is necessary providing renal function is normal for the patient's age.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of age on plasma levels of propranolol and practolol in man.

Castleden¹,

Kaye²,

Parsons³

1975

Brit J Clinical Pharma

137

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Over the past ten years, evidence has accumulated which supports an already generally accepted view that the probability of experiencing adverse drug reactions increases with age (1, 2). During this same period, it has become increasingly appreciated that the activities of some drugs are modified in the geriatric patient and that these variations should be acknowledged in therapeutic regimens prescribed for patients in this age group (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Pharmacodynamic Principles of Drug Therapy in the Aged*

Bender¹

1974

J American Geriatrics Society

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The geriatric patient responds differently to some drugs than does the younger adult, and consequently certain precautions should be taken when prescribing a therapeutic regimen for the elderly. Increasing age is accompanied by functional changes in many of the systems that control the way a drug is metabolized and the response that it evokes. Apparently it is these changes which underlie the modified effect seen clinically in geriatric patients. Age tends to reduce and delay the absorption of substances from the gastrointestinal tract, impair and delay drug clearance and excretion by the kidneys, and reduce the rate of enzyme destruction. The plasma half‐life of penicillin, digoxin, antipyrine, or phenylbutazone is extended significantly in the aged so that higher circulating concentrations are maintained for longer periods. Other age‐related changes influence the effect of a drug once it has combined with its receptor. These include an altered number of receptor sites, a decrease in the transmitter content of affected tissues, an increase in the rigidity of responsive tissues, and an overall decline in homeostatic capability.

show abstract

“…The characteristic features of this depressive syndrome that help to distinguish it from true endogenous depression are the presence of anxiety, lack of guilt, and lack of self‐depreciation (10,11). Methyldopa, like reserpine, is widely prescribed for hypertension, but it has depressive side effects, particularly in the elderly (4). The symptoms of methyldopa depression include drowsiness, sleepiness, fatigue, and weakness (12).…”

Section: Drugs Which May Contribute To Depression In the Elderlymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Methyldopa, like reserpine, is widely prescribed for hypertension, but it has depressive side effects, particularly in the elderly (4). The symptoms of methyldopa depression include drowsiness, sleepiness, fatigue, and weakness (12).…”

Section: Drugs Which May Contribute To Depression In the Elderlymentioning

confidence: 99%

Depression in the Elderly. II. Possible Drug Etiologies; Differential Diagnostic Criteria*

Salzman

Shader

1978

J American Geriatrics Society

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Drugs for the treatment of various medical or psychiatric disorders may sometimes cause or exacerbate depression in the elderly. Drug interactions due to polypharmacy (a common method of prescribing for aged patients) may also play a role the genesis of depression. The roles of specific drugs and of drug interactions are reviewed. Criteria for the diagnosis of depression in the elderly, as well as differential diagnostic guidelines, are presented and constructive suggestions offered.

show abstract

Drug Hazards in the Elderly

Cited by 11 publications

References 3 publications

The effect of age on plasma levels of propranolol and practolol in man.

The effect of age on plasma levels of propranolol and practolol in man.

Pharmacodynamic Principles of Drug Therapy in the Aged*

Depression in the Elderly. II. Possible Drug Etiologies; Differential Diagnostic Criteria*

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About