MEDICATIONS AND NUTRITION IN THE ELDERLY

Single drug and drug combinations taken by elderly individuals may imp ose nutritional risk. Nutritional risk induced by drug intake include anorexia, excessive increase in appetite, drug-induced nutritional def iciencies, and toxic reactions. Drug side effects, such as postural hy potension, may interfere with food shopping or cooking ability. Prescr ibed diets may also impose a risk of drug-induced side effects or dimi nished drug efficacy. Unwanted outcomes of drug-food and drug-nutrient interactions can be minimized by instructing elderly men and women an d their caregivers to avoid timing errors in drug-taking behavior and toxic reactions due to food incompatibility. In addition, drug-induced nutritional deficiencies can be avoided by advising drug-taking elder ly on the appropriate levels of nutrient intake.