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Psychiatria pre prax 4/2010
The specificity of pharmacotherapy in gerontopsychiatry
Pharmacotherapy in old age requires specific approach. We can see more frequently lower portion of water in body tissue in comparison with younger age. On the other hand there is usually higher amount of fat. Older people suffer often from different disorders that alter pharmacokinetics (for instance renal or hepatic insufficiency, chronic constipation and others). There is one general principle, especially in psychopharmacotherapy – „start low, go slow”. Author analyses particular groups of psychopharmaceutics and introduces the specifics of their use in old age persons.
Keywords: adverse events, antidepressants, antipsychotics, cognitive drugs, gerontopsychiatry, pharmacokinetics.
