AVOIDING DRUG-REACTIONS - 7 STEPS TO WRITING SAFE PRESCRIPTIONS

Two-thirds of patients age 65 and older use one or more drugs daily. T he number of drugs taken by older patients greatly influences their ch ances of experiencing a drug reaction. Many patients take their medica tions incorrectly, and a large number receive prescriptions from more than one physician. The physiologic changes that occur with aging also affect drug absorption, distribution, protein binding, biotransformat ion, and excretion (pharmacokinetics). Drugs may react with other drug s, with chronic disease, with alcohol, and with nutrients in the patie nt's diet. By careful prescribing, however, the physician can minimize the potential for ill effects of multiple drug therapies for older pa tients. Seven prescribing steps are outlined.