The elderly patient presents unique problems in pharmacotherapy, stemming from age-related pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic alterations. This picture is further complicated by the fact that the majority of elderly patients have underlying medical conditions and use concomitant medications, further increasing their vulnerability to side effects.
Elderly patients with psychotic symptoms are often treated with antipsychotic medications. This presentation will highlight the use of antipsychotics in elderly patients, with a focus on the atypical antipsychotics. Data will be presented that outline the differential effects of dopamine receptor blockade by all antipsychotics, comparing and contrasting the pharmacologic profiles of conventional versus atypical neuroleptics. Clinical trial data emphasizing efficacy and outcomes involving the conventional agents haloperidol, chlorpromazine and thioridazine, and the atypical antipsychotics aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine and ziprasidone will be discussed.
References: Targum, S. Treating psychotic symptoms in elderly patients. J Clin Psych (Primary Care Companion) 2001;3:156-163.
Daniel, D. Antipsychotic treatment of psychosis and agitation in the elderly. J Clin Psych 2000;61(suppl 14):49-52.
Kumar, V et al. Psychopharmacology of atypical antipsychotics and clinical outcomes in elderly patients. J Clin Psych 1999;60(suppl 13):5-9.
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