title: Prescribing psychotropic medications for elderly patients.
abstract: Compared with younger patients, the use of various psychotropic drugs is typically associated with expected, but exaggerated adverse effects in elderly patients. Falls are the single most important serious complication associated with all types of prescription and nonprescription drug use in older adults; psychotropic drugs contribute to or cause falls by various direct and indirect mechanisms, including sedation, confusion, vision changes, blood pressure changes, cardiac rhythm changes, balance problems, and neuromuscular incoordination. This article discusses dosage titration for elderly patients, laboratory testing for monitoring pharmacotherapy, and the importance of careful clinical assessment. In their role of providing, monitoring, and coordinating treatment, nurses should be knowledgeable about the appropriate use of medication in elderly patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburg School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, O'hara Street, Pittburg, PA 15213, USA. HowlandRH@upmc.edu
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Howland
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs