Microsoft word - potentially inappropriate medications in the elderly 07_08.doc
Potentially Inappropriate Medications in the Elderly
Medications with Severity Rating of High1,2
Medication
Prescribing Concern2
Possible Alternatives
Amitriptyline (Elavil®
)
• Has strong anticholinergic and sedating
Consider an antidepressant agent with less sedation and
Amitriptyline/ chlordiazepoxide
fewer anticholinergic effects (Pamelor® (g), Norpramin® (g),
(Limbitrol®
, Limbitrol DS®
)
• Rarely the antidepressant of choice in elderly
• Cause more side effects than most other
Avoid use in the elderly, except when used to control
Barbiturates (except phenobarbital)
sedative or hypnotic drugs in the elderly
• These anti-anxiety agents have a long half-life in
If a benzodiazepine is necessary, consider a smaller dose of
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium®
)
a short or intermediate-acting agent (Ativan® <3mg (g),
Diazepam (Valium®
)
• May cause prolonged sedation and increase the
Serax® <60mg (g), Xanax® <2mg (g), Restoril® <15mg (g),
• Has a prolonged half-life in the elderly
• Can cause prolonged and serious hypoglycemia
Consider a second generation sulfonylurea (Glucotrol® (g),
Chlorpropamide (Diabinese®
)
• May also cause syndrome of inappropriate
secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)
• Gastrointestinal antispasmodic agents are highly
Dicyclomine (Bentyl®
)
Hyosycamine (Levsin®
, Levsinex®
)
• Generally produce substantial toxic effects in the
Avoid gastrointestinal antispasmodics in the elderly,
Belladonna alkaloids (Donnatal®
)
Clidinium-chlordiazepoxide (Librax®
)
• Effectiveness at doses tolerated by the elderly is
Use the smallest dose possible if the use of Benadryl® is
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®
)
• The most potent negative inotrope of all the
When appropriate, other antiarrhythmic drugs should be
Disopyramide (Norpace®
, Norpace CR®
)
• May induce heart failure in the elderly
• Has strong anticholinergic and sedating
Consider an antidepressant with less sedation and fewer
Doxepin (Sinequan®
)
anticholinergic effects (Pamelor® (g), Norpramin® (g),
• Rarely the antidepressant of choice in the elderly Celexa® (g), Lexapro®3).
Medication
Prescribing Concern2
Possible Alternatives
Consider safer alternatives (Celexa (g)®, Lexapro®3,
Fluoxetine (
Prozac®
) daily
• May produce excessive CNS stimulation, sleep
• Has an extremely long half-life in the elderly
If a benzodiazepine is necessary, consider a medium- or
Flurazepam (Dalmane®
)
short-acting benzodiazepine (Restoril® <15mg (g), Halcion®
May cause prolonged sedation and increase the
• Causes the most CNS adverse events of all the
Indomethacin (Indocin®
, Indocin SR®
)
available nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents
Avoid use in the elderly, safer alternatives exist.
• May cause renal failure and/or hypertension • May cause confusion
Meperidine (Demerol®
)
• Not an effective oral analgesic in doses
Avoid use in the elderly, morphine is the preferred agent.
Meprobamate (Equanil®
, Miltown®
)
• If used for prolonged periods of time, the drug
Methocarbamol (Robaxin®
)
Chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte DSC)
• Most muscle relaxants and antispasmodics are
Orphenadrine (Norflex)
Avoid use of any skeletal muscle relaxants in the elderly.
Carisoprodol (Soma®
)
• Can cause anticholinergic adverse events,
Metaxalone (Skelaxin®
)
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril®
)
• May cause bradycardia and exacerbate
Consider an alternative treatment for hypertension (a
Methyldopa (Aldomet®
, Aldoril®
)
• Causes a higher incidence of confusion,
Pentazocine (Talwin compound®
,
Consider other moderate pain relievers (acetaminophen or
hallucinations and other CNS side effects than
Talacen®
, Talwin NX®
)
• Offers few analgesic advantages over
Propoxyphene (Darvon®
)
Consider other moderate pain relievers (acetaminophen or
Propoxyphene/acetaminophen
• May cause prolonged sedation and increase the
(Darvocet®
)
Consider alternative antiplatelet agents (aspirin, or Plavix® if
Ticlopidine (Ticlid®
)
• Not much better than aspirin in clot prevention
• Least effective of all antiemetic drugs
Consider safer alternatives (Compazine® <10mg (g),
Trimethobenzamide (Tigan®
)
• Causes the most extrapyramidal side effects of
1 Potentially Inappropriate Medications in the Elderly- alternative medications. Approved by BCBSM/BCN Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee April 15, 2004.
3 BCN requires step therapy for use of Lexapro.
Source: http://www.ospdocs.com/uploaded_pics/pdf/pdf-20080821235835.pdf
Wie wird die Basedow-Krankheit behandelt? Was sollen Sie mit dieser Information tun? Die Basedow-Krankheit ist eine gut behandelbare Um Komplikationen zu vermeiden, ist es sehr wichtig, Krankheit. Folgende Behandlungen sind möglich:dass die Basedow-Krankheit frühzeitig diagnostiziert und • Medikamente , die die Hormonproduktion der behandelt wird. Gerne unterstützen wir Sie und
PNEUMOCOCCAL POL YSACCHARIDE W H A T YO U N E E D T O K N O W 1 Why get vaccinated? 3 Who should get PPV? Pneumococcal disease is a serious disease that• All adults 65 years of age or older. causes much sickness and death. In fact,pneumococcal disease kills more people in the• Anyone over 2 years of age who has a long-United States each year than all other vaccine-preventab