Unique Hazards of Medication for the Elderly
Author: Ellen Mausner, M.D., Ph.D..
Source: Volume 05, Number 04, Spring 2013 , pp.355-359(5)
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Abstract:
Ellen Mausner sounds an alarm about the hazardous yet routine use of strong psychoactive medications with elderly patients. Sometimes, patients receiving, say, an antipsychotic (or two or three) may not realize that some of these drugs pose serious side effects, especially in interaction with other drugs prescribed for the same or different conditions. Particularly in light of the pitifully segmented patchwork of services comprising the U.S. health system, Dr. Mausner provides an essential public warning about these practices. To bolster her case, she includes reports of several U.S. government rulings against drug companies for abusive prescribing practices.Keywords: antipsychotic drugs; “benzos”; mood stabilizers; anti-anxiety medications; dementia medications
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