METABOLISM, BIOAVAILABILITY, AND DRUG-INTERACTIONS

This article presents clinically relevant drug interactions which may confront the geriatric psychiatrist. Changes in drug metabolism due to aging, higher medical comorbidity, and frequent polypharmacy all plac e the older patient at a greater risk of developing a drug-drug intera ction. Clinicians must be aware of the potential for such interactions , but they should also be able to determine which of those possible in teractions is appropriate for a particular patient. Drug interactions are included in this article based on frequency of the interaction, cl inical severity, and frequency of contact with the drugs prescribed by the practicing clinician.