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Clinical pharmacology and the elderly patient

  • Chapter
The Treatment of Medical Problems in the Elderly

Part of the book series: Current Status of Modern Therapy ((TCSMT,volume 3))

Abstract

The elderly patient differs from his younger counterpart in many important ways, not least with respect to drug therapy. As an almost inevitable part of ageing, the elderly suffer from many degenerate disorders and in addition are susceptible to other diseases. The resultant signs and symptoms not infrequently elicit the ‘prescription reflex’ by which the doctor attempts alleviation of all or most problems. The large scale of prescribing puts the elderly at increased risk of developing adverse drug reactions. The elderly patient may exhibit altered pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs) and pharmacodynamics (the time-course and magnitude of drug effect). Matters are complicated further by the attitude of the elderly to medical intervention. In addition, infirmities such as confusion, poor sight, forgetfulness and failure to comprehend instructions militate against the patients adhering to a therapeutic regimen, both pharmacological and otherwise.

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Authors
  1. K. O’Malley
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  2. M. Laher
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  3. B. Cusack
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  4. J. G. Kelly
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Northwick Park Hospital and Clinical Research Centre, Watford Road, HA1 3JUJ, Harrow, Middlesex, UK

    M. J. Denham

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O’Malley, K., Laher, M., Cusack, B., Kelly, J.G. (1980). Clinical pharmacology and the elderly patient. In: Denham, M.J. (eds) The Treatment of Medical Problems in the Elderly. Current Status of Modern Therapy, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6223-4_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6223-4_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

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