title: The use of psychotropic drugs to treat anxiety in the elderly.
abstract: Great care in prescribing and monitoring psychotropic medications for elderly patients must be taken because of their increased sensitivity to toxic side effects; their decreased physical resiliency, as compared to younger patients; and the risk of dependency and withdrawal when taking psychotropic medication. Psychosocial and psychotherapeutic interventions should be administered concurrently if pharmacotherapy is needed. When psychotropic medication is called for, the agent of choice should be that which results in the least amount of autonomic nervous system toxicity and sedation. Short half-life benzodiazepines in low doses are generally the best options for elderly patients in need of psychotropic medication. Unlike benzodiazepines with longer half-lives, they cause no metabolite accumulation and have a lower potential for toxicity.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, School of Nursing 77030, USA.
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Gomez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010353:Patient Education as Topic
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents