Abstract
Pharmacotherapy in frail elderly is complicated and driven by multiple issues. As a result, physicians are faced with a complex task when prescribing to frail elderly patients. In this study, initiated by the Expertise Centre Pharmacotherapy for Older Persons (Ephor), a validated set of 23 criteria concerning effectiveness, safety, experience and convenience was developed to assist in the selection of the most appropriate drug within a drug class for the treatment of frail elderly patients. This method, using the 23 criteria, provides a complete overview of the relevant evidence for each individual drug. Evidence-based recommendations can be formulated for each individual drug within a drug class based on the pros and cons for frail elderly patients. Meanwhile, Ephor has formulated evidence-based recommendations for the antipsychotics, NSAIDs, ACE-inhibitors, opioids, hypnotics, anxiolytics, tricyclic antidepressants and second generation antidepressants. The complete reports are available at www.ephor.eu. As an example, a summary of the reports of the tricyclic antidepressants and second generation antidepressants is given.
| Translated title of the contribution | Criteria for drug selection: Frail elderly and antidepressants |
|---|---|
| Original language | Dutch |
| Pages (from-to) | 141-147 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Tijdschrift voor Ouderengeneeskunde |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |