last updated 10-10-2024

Geriatric pharmacology

Geriatric pharmacology

People aged over 65 years are at higher risk for diseases (cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders) and specific diseases/problems of elderly people such as incontinence and dementia. As a result, this group is the greatest consumer of prescription drugs. Elderly people often use various drugs at the same time, resulting in the risk of unwanted drug interactions and adverse effects.

 

These aspects combined with the fact, that elderly people develop decreased functions of heart, lungs, kidneys, liver etc. count for the danger of other disease symptoms, like confusion, constipation and falls. This TRC section deals with pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, (in)continence, and confusion (dementia) in elderly. Read more in the Farmacotherapeutisch Kompas.

 

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The disproportionate risk of adverse drug reactions in the elderly is due to