DRUG TREATMENT IN THE ELDERLY.pptVIP

DRUG TREATMENT IN THE ELDERLY OLAVI PELKONEN Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Oulu THE BASIC PROBLEM Drug treatment increases (almost exponentially) with age The elderly are presumed to be - because of pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic changes with age - more vulnerable to side effects and toxicity of drugs Drug treatment is more risky in the elderly DRUG TREATMENT IN THE OLD AGE: Defining the problems Extrinsic problems prescribing patterns excessive amounts inadequate indications excessive duration inappropriate regimens drug compliance DRUG TREATMENT IN T