title: Safe and effective drug therapy in older adults.
abstract: The last two decades have witnessed the introduction of major advances in drug therapy for many chronic diseases. Despite an increasing number of therapeutic choices, basic challenges remain when using new drugs in the elderly. It isessential: (1) to consider whether a new drug is truly safer, more effective or worth the extra expense compared to established medications, (2) to monitor patients for drug related toxicities, and (3) to avoid polypharmacy and the prescribing cascade.
authors.affiliation: University of Rhode Island, USA. alhumeri1@aol.com
authors.forename: Anne L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hume
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics; D004358:Drug Therapy; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing