Peculiarities of using drugs in the elderly

Abstract

Background: The global aging of the population is particularly evident in economically developed countries and has a progressive character, being in the sight of the state, government and of many international organizations. According to statistics, in this period of life, the morbidity is higher in males than females. At the same time, the need to provide medical assistance to the elderly is 50 percent higher than needed for middle-aged people. About 26% of senile patients show complications and side effects due to medications. The reasons may vary: the late doctor attendance, the socio-psychological state, polymorbidity, the chronic outbreaks of diseases, parallel treatment at other physicians’, self-treatment etc. The simultaneous treatment by other physicians, who in their turn, prescribe drugs which might increase the probability of chemical and physical incompatibilities, and especially the pharmacological ones. Self-treatment is a global issue. The patient, quite often, listens to the advice of neighbors, friends, acquaintances who believe they are suffering from the same disease. So appear the different forms of polypragmasia. Conclusions: So appear the different forms of polypragmasia. Polypragmasia is sometimes more dangerous than the insufficient treatment. Anatomicalphysiological modifications of the cardiovascular system of senile patients lead to paradox effects of the administration of some drugs. Before initiating any treatment, it is necessary to determine whether the patient is using any drugs recommended by other specialists, friends, neighbors or drugs, which are not allowed to be prescribed with other drugs, in order to avoid unwanted interactions.

Keywords

• elderly
• polymorbidity
• polypragmasia
• self-treatment