title: Iatrogenesis in the elderly. Drug-related problems.
abstract: Drug reactions are generally related to the influence of age, toxicity, side effects, immunologic reactions, idiosyncratic reactions, drug-drug interactions, and drug-disease interactions. In addition to age-related changes, the elderly are susceptible to the incidence of adverse drug reactions because of polypharmacy, incorrect self-administration of drugs, omission of drugs, taking another's prescriptions, use of over-the-counter drugs, and medication errors by health-care personnel. To prevent or predict adverse drug reactions, the gerontologic nurse can obtain thorough drug histories, educate clients and health-care providers, use nursing measures to alleviate symptoms, and be astute for the potential for problems through drug review.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Stolley
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Buckwalter
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fjordbak
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bush
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing; D004344:Drug Incompatibility; D004347:Drug Interactions; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease