Tag: Geriatrics

According to a 2019 literature review, many older adults require fewer thyroid hormones than younger individuals, a phenomenon driven by age-related metabolic changes. Therefore, many people taking medication for hypothyroidism will need a lower dose of thyroid medication as they get older.

Multiple studies have consistently shown that older adults often require lower daily doses of levothyroxine than their younger counterparts to maintain proper thyroid function. This critical adjustment reflects significant physiological changes associated with the aging process and is key to safe, effective hypothyroidism management.

While a systematic review found that music therapy could help reduce agitation in some institutionalized elderly patients, selecting what IV medication is used for agitation in the elderly requires extreme caution due to heightened risks of adverse effects. Pharmacological intervention is typically reserved for severe cases where non-medication strategies have failed and patient safety is at immediate risk.

According to research, 8–12% of cases of parkinsonism are caused by medication, with certain drug classes posing significant risks for people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Knowing what medications are bad for Parkinson's is crucial for managing symptoms effectively and preventing complications.

According to a 2015 study in *JAMA Internal Medicine*, older adults taking a strong anticholinergic medication daily for more than three years had an increased risk of developing dementia. This finding highlights a critical topic for geriatric health: understanding what are several common drugs linked to dementia and how long-term use can impact cognitive function.

Multiple studies have found that long-term use of anticholinergic drugs, a class that includes oxybutynin, may increase the risk of dementia by as much as 46% compared to non-use [1.2.3]. The question of whether is oxybutynin associated with dementia is a critical concern for many patients, especially older adults.

In a study of older adults hospitalized for a hip fracture, 87.5% were using at least one fall-risk-increasing drug (FRID) [1.5.3]. Many common prescription and over-the-counter drugs can cause side effects like dizziness or drowsiness, but do you know which of the following medications can increase a client's risk of falls?

Did you know that syrups are a cornerstone of pediatric and geriatric medicine? For what purpose is Syrup used? It's primarily used as a liquid vehicle that masks unpleasant tastes, making medication consumption easier and more compliant for vulnerable patient populations.

With studies from the National Institutes of Health noting that liquid formulations like syrups are widely used in pediatric care, understanding **for which purpose is Syrup used?** is crucial in pharmacology and medicine. Syrups serve as a versatile vehicle for delivering active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in a palatable and easy-to-administer format.

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among people aged 65 and older, with direct medical costs totaling nearly $30 billion annually [1.7.1]. Understanding **what drugs increase the risk of falling** is a critical step in mitigating this danger.