title: Geriatric dermatology: Part I. Geriatric pharmacology for the dermatologist.
abstract: Issues related to prescribing dermatologic drugs in the elderly are less recognized than age-related skin findings. This is related in part to the lack of a standardized residency training curriculum in geriatric dermatology. As the number of elderly patients rises in the United States, drug-related iatrogenic complications will become increasingly important. This review discusses age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of common dermatologic drugs. These changes include volume of distribution, renal function, liver toxicity from interactions of commonly prescribed drugs, and medications that can decompensate cognition in the older patient population. We outline seven prescribing principles related to older dermatology patients, including useful strategies to reduce polypharmacy and improve drug adherence, using an evidence-based approach whenever possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Justin O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.affiliation: University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah.
authors.forename: Jillian W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Nova Southeastern Medical School, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Redwood City, California. Electronic address: alschang@stanford.edu.
authors.forename: Anne Lynn S
authors.initials: ALS
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003880:Dermatology; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D019338:Polypharmacy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*