title: Anticipating and managing opioid side effects in the elderly.
abstract: Pain is a common complaint in the elderly, and opioids are useful agents for management of both acute and chronic pain. Opioids are known to cause a variety of adverse effects, and these adverse effects can be particularly problematic for the frail elderly patient and may limit their use. As a result, this can lead to undertreatment of pain and poor patient outcome. Understanding, anticipating, and managing opioid side effects is an important component of care for the elderly patient.
authors: The Consultant Pharmacist.
authors: Caren McHenry
authors: CM
authors: Martin
authors: Charles Samuel
authors: CS
authors: Forrester
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D059408:Pain Management / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid