Prescription, Nonprescription and Herbal Medications: Exploring Interactions in the Geriatric Population
Prescription, Nonprescription and Herbal Medications: Exploring Interactions in the Geriatric
Population
Purpose: To examine the issue of polypharmacy in the geriatric population. Drug therapy in the elderly presents a special challenge as older patients are more sensitive to drugs and demonstrate wider individual responses. Total points: 150
CONTENT REQUIREMENTS:
Introduction: Student is to address current demographics of the geriatric population (numbers by age group over 50 years of age, gender, marital status, ethnicity, household income, educational level, etc. Address any demographic information you believe impacts or influences an elderly persons participation in a medication regimen.
Section I: Discuss specific physiologic changes that occur with aging and how those changes affect absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs.
Section 2: Delineate factors that predispose older patients to adverse drug reactions.
Section 2: Delineate factors that predispose older patients to adverse drug reactions.
Section 3: 1. Select two of the following classes of medications (analgesics, antihistamines, antihypertensives, antidepressants)
2. Identify 3 commonly prescribed medications in each class – discuss the mechanism of action of each of the medications (Example: Toradol, Darvon, Lortab)
