title: Antibiotic use in the elderly. A selective review.
abstract: There are unique challenges for the physician who prescribes an antibiotic to an elderly patient. Advanced age is associated with physiological alterations and a reduction in the excretion of numerous compounds. Mental and physical illness in aged patients will impair unsupervised drug compliance. Antibiotic-related adverse events and antibiotic-associated drug interactions pose a threat to life and impede the desired therapeutic outcome.
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Gleckman
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D010406:Penicillins / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010406:Penicillins