Psychotropic drugs in geriatrics
Wertheimer, J.
Therapeutische Umschau. Revue Therapeutique 38(1): 26-31
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-5930 PMID: 7281048 Document Number: 168728
As people grow older, side effects due to the modification of pharmacokinetics are the main disadvantage in the use of psychotropic drugs in geriatrics. First, some general rules of prescription must be respected. One will indirectly influence sleep by modifying habits and, if medication becomes necessary, will give preference to chloral hydrate, then to the benzodiazepine byproducts, and, last, to some sedative neuroleptics. Anxiety should be treated mainly with benzodiazepines, taking great care as to the doses. Regarding depression, all the tricyclics and tetracyclics can be used, not forgetting the atropinic effects they have. In case of glaucoma, some substances are free from side effects. In spite of age, resort to lithium is possible with all cautions needed. Neuroleptics will get their best use in confused or delirious states: their main side effects are of extrapyramidal nature.