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Pharmacological Management of the Older Patient

  • Chapter
Aging, Heart Disease, and Its Management

Part of the book series: Contemporary Cardiology ((CONCARD))

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Abstract

Nearly one-third of all the prescription medications used in this country today is consumed by Americans aged 65 and older (1–3). In the community setting, this patient population receives, on average, two to six prescription medications at one time; this does not include the multiple over-the-counter and herbal medications (3). The number of drug exposures increases with age and tends to be higher in patients treated in long-term care facilities or nursing homes, compared to community-dwelling elders. The prescription rate in nursing facilities is, on average, five to eight medications per patient, not including medicines dispensed on an “as needed” basis (4). Not surprisingly, pharmacologic management was ranked as the number one target for quality improvement by experts in geriatric care from a list of 78 conditions common among vulnerable older adults (5). In persons 65 yr and older, the combination of complex medication regimens, altered pharmacodynamics, and multiple prescription and nonprescription medications places this patient population at high risk for adverse drug events, drug—drug interactions, and noncompliance.

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Authors
  1. Rudina M. Odeh-Ramadan PHARMD
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  2. Tami L. Remington PHARMD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA

    Niloo M. Edwards MD

  2. Division of Circulatory Physiology/Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA

    Mathew S. Maurer MD

  3. University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA

    Rachel B. Wellner BA, MPH

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Odeh-Ramadan, R.M., Remington, T.L. (2003). Pharmacological Management of the Older Patient. In: Edwards, N.M., Maurer, M.S., Wellner, R.B. (eds) Aging, Heart Disease, and Its Management. Contemporary Cardiology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-357-6_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-357-6_4

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

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