Prescribing in the elderly

Question 1

what type of drugs do the elderly have increased sensitivity to?

Answer 1

Benzodiazepines
Opiates
Anti Hypertensives
drugs with anti cholinergic side effects
warfarin

Question 2

what are the major changes in the elderly that affect pharmacokinetics?

Answer 2

decreased renal function
reduced liver size and function
reduced plasma proteins
changes in body composition

Question 3

why should you be cautious with long term NSAID use in the elderly?

Answer 3

GI bleed
renal impairment
hypertension

Question 4

why should you be careful with prescribing tricyclics in the elderly?

Answer 4

sedation

postural hypertension