Study of drug interactions in elderly residents in institution for long-stay

Abstract

Physiological changes related to aging imply to an increased consumption of drugs, wich makes it subject to the practice of polypharmacy an drug interactions consequently. Some interactions may, jeopardize the safety and effectiveness of treatment, increasing the pharmacologic effects causing toxicity, accentuate side effects, develop an adverse reaction to medication and even increase morbidity and mortality. Thus, the objective of this work was a study of the major drug interactions by evaluation the medical prescriptions the three elderly individuals residing in long-stay institution for a period of 12 months .The three elderly selected subjects used eight to ten medications daily. We have found 17 possible drug interactions classified interactions pharmacokinetic involving the internal mechanisms of absorption, distribution an transformation of drugs and biotransformation of drugs and pharmacodynamic, interactions through mechanisms of potentiation, antagonism and summation. Compared to the results, it was suggested corrective measures to provide safety, therapeutic efficacy and quality of life among the elderly.