Abstract
The elderly take more drugs than the young, and are therefore more susceptible to adverse drug interactions. Prescribing the minimum number of agents is recommended. Drug absorption, metabolism, and excretion may be altered by various interactions. Dose-response relationships of oral anticoagulants, oral hypoglycemics, anticonvulsants, steroid hormones, theophylline, and tricyclic antidepressants are significantly affected by changes in drug metabolism. Proper adjustment of dosage permits the safe, concomitant use of agents that interact with these drugs. Pharmacodynamic interactions also occur in the elderly. A common example is the additive effect of several drugs with central nervous system depressant activity, causing oversedation.
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