HOW TO PREVENT IATROGENIC PROBLEMS?
• Adverse outcomes to medications occur across the age groups • Twice as common in the elderly as it is younger patients. Medication side-effects are similar to those experienced by younger patients but are more likely to include delirium, depression, worsening dementia, orthostatic hypotension, falls and incontinence. Factors placing the elderly at risk of adverse drug reactions: • Polypharmacy Probably represents more significant threats to the health and well-being of the elderly than do age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Polypharmacy is not only a risk factor for non-compliance but increases the risk of drug reaction and interactions, which can range in severity from minimal to life-threatening.
