title: Geriatric psychopharmacology.
abstract: Psychotropic drugs are often used to treat elderly patients suffering from disturbances of behavior, mood, memory, and sleep. Because of increased sensitivity of the aging brain to psychotropic drugs, altered pharmacokinetics, and increased likelihood of polypharmacy as people grow older, specific guidelines for the use of psychotropic drugs should be observed. These guidelines are discussed in the following article.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Salzman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D001569:Benzodiazepines