Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

İstanbul Üniversitesi Cerrahpaşa Tıp Fakültesi İç Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı - İSTANBUL Drug therapy is an important aspect in the management of the geriatric age group. Polypharmacy is common in the age group above sixty five due to the increase of disease in this age group. Up to three to six number of drugs are used in the geriatric outpatients; with this number increasing to ten to fifteen drugs in hospitalized patients. The presence of multiple diseases converges into a complicated clinical situation; where the effects of the diseases, the side effects and drug interactions merge. Factors influencing the success of treatment in the elderly are based on sound knowledge of drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics as well as education of the patient in order to obtain maximal benefit from the prescribed therapy. Significant points in compliance in the elderly are multiple and complex drug regimens, adverse drug effects, high cost of medications, unsatisfactory patient-physician relationship, and cognitive impairment of the patient. Cognitive impairment is especially important in this age group where forgetfulness leads to inadequate therapy on one hand, and drug toxicity due to usage errors on the other. The role of the physician has shifted from diagnostician to educator in the present medical attitude of preventing strategies. Keywords : geriatric, Drug, polypharmacy, compliance, toxicity