Prescribing for seniors: it's a balancing act.
OBJECTIVE
To present a rational approach to prescribing for seniors, balancing the need for and number of medications.


METHODS
Selected evidence-based reviews and research articles and the author's own experience.


CONCLUSIONS
Whenever possible, alternatives to medication therapy should be considered as the initial treatment of choice; however, medications should be prescribed when indicated and not withheld due to a patient's age. Reducing the number of medications reduces the risk for adverse drug reactions and drug-to-drug interactions.


CONCLUSIONS
Careful review of an older patient's medication list prior to initiating new therapy is necessary. Follow-up care to review the efficacy and monitor any potential side effects is crucial. Timely discontinuation of a drug when therapeutic usefulness is surpassed is equally important.
Schafer
S L
SL
Kaiser Permanente, Atlanta, GA, USA. sandy.schafer@kp.org
D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity; D004347:Drug Interactions; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors; D012307:Risk Factors