Prescribing to the elderly: a review of the english language canadian literature.
The elderly receive proportionately more prescriptions than any other age group in Canada. In a review of available English language studies in the Canadian literature, the author found that the most common groups of drugs prescribed for the elderly are psychotropic and cardiovascular drugs, principally digoxin and diuretics. Elderly women recieve the bulk of prescriptions for psychotropic agents. Some evidence indicates generalized overprescribing, as well as overprescribing of antihypertensive and psychotropic agents. The elderly seem to be the group most likely to suffer an adverse drug reaction. As the elderly proportion of the population continues to grow, it will become increasingly important to prescribe appropriately to them.
J
J
Lexchin
Can Fam Physician. 1984 Jan;30:193-8
21283506
Can Pharm J. 1981 Dec;114(12):467-70
10253716
Can Med Assoc J. 1976 Mar 20;114(6):517-22
1260589
J Chronic Dis. 1983;36(1):75-84
6848551
JAMA. 1972 Oct 2;222(1):50-5
5068673
Can Med Assoc J. 1985 Jan 1;132(1):19-23
3871167
J Psychiatr Res. 1982-1983;17(1):51-73
6763943
Drugs. 1983 Apr;25(4):385-98
6133736
Can Fam Physician. 1987 Apr;33:927-34
21263905
Can Med Assoc J. 1978 Jun 24;118(12):1503-8
26459
Can Fam Physician. 1987 Nov;33:2605-9
21264004
Can Pharm J. 1982 Jan;115(1):9-12, 31
10254067
N Engl J Med. 1987 Feb 12;316(7):363-9
2880292
J Med Educ. 1983 Sep;58(9):728-32
6887218
Can Med Assoc J. 1967 Dec 9;97(24):1445-50
6061608
Can Fam Physician. 1984 Jan;30:81-4
21283495
Can Med Assoc J. 1979 Oct 20;121(8):1074-81
543996