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Perspectives on Geriatric Pharmacotherapy
Author(s) -
Delafuente Jeffrey C.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1002/j.1875-9114.1991.tb02631.x
Subject(s) - pharmacotherapy , medicine , intensive care medicine , drug , health care , polypharmacy , adverse effect , drug reaction , geriatrics , psychiatry , pharmacology , economics , economic growth
In the United States the population over 85 years of age use a disproportionately large percentage of health care resources, including drugs. The elderly take approximately one‐third of all medications. Among other factors, the need for several agents predisposes them to adverse drug reactions and drug interactions. Sequelae from drug usage in the elderly are more common than in younger patient populations, and often result in hospitalization. Careful patient monitoring is imperative for optimum pharmacotherapy in elderly patients.