title: Guidelines for prescribing psychoactive drugs in the elderly: Part 1.
abstract: Primary care physicians are usually the first to see elderly patients with emotional problems secondary to dementia and other psychiatric disorders. Because these problems often can be treated effectively, physicians should have a working knowledge of the guidelines for optimal use of psychoactive medications. Part 1 of this two-part article discusses general prescribing guidelines based on the pharmacokinetics of aging and provides specific information about benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Antipsychotics and other psychoactive agents used to treat the elderly are discussed in part 2 (page 52).
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maletta
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Mattox
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dysken
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines