title: Pharmacology in the Geriatric Patient.
abstract: The aging population of the United States creates pharmaceutical challenges for the practicing emergency physician. Polypharmacy, drug-drug and drug-disease interactions, and other pharmaceutical complications from the pathophysiologic changes associated with aging need to be recognized in order to optimize outcomes in the elderly. Effective strategies that improve patients outcomes include a better understanding of the physiologic and pharmacologic changes that occur with aging, integrated use of clinical emergency department pharmacists, and choosing nonpharmacologic treatment options when possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Cook County Health and Hospitals System, 1900 West Polk Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. Electronic address: welkerk@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Katherine Louise
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Welker
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Cook County Health and Hospitals System, 1900 West Polk Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
authors.forename: Mark B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Mycyk
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004358:Drug Therapy; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D010600:Pharmacology; D019338:Polypharmacy
keywords: Aging; Clinical pharmacists; Drug interactions; Polypharmacy