The American journal of geriatric pharmacotherapy
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Am J Geriatr Pharmacother · Aug 2009
Case ReportsChorea associated with gabapentin use in an elderly man.
Chorea is a hyperkinetic movement disorder characterized by irregular, flowing, nonstereotyped, random, involuntary movements. Huntington disease (HD) and drug-induced chorea account for >50% of adult-onset cases. Chorea associated with gabapentin, an anticonvulsant, has not been well documented. ⋯ This article reports a case of chorea in an elderly patient who was receiving gabapentin for the treatment of anxiety. After gabapentin discontinuation, the chorea resolved completely, indicating a probable adverse drug reaction.
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Am J Geriatr Pharmacother · Aug 2009
Determinants of antidepressant medication prescribing in elderly residents of aged care homes in Australia: a retrospective study.
Depression is underrecognized and poorly treated among older people living in aged care homes worldwide. Depression has been associated with higher rates of recurrence, disability, and death in older people. ⋯ There was preferential prescribing of SSRI antidepressants among these older aged care home residents with depression. Cognitive impairment alone was not significantly associated with antidepressant prescribing; however, these aged care home residents with dementia and mood disorders had an increased likelihood of being treated with antidepressants. The prescribing of TCAs was significantly associated with concurrent benzodiazepine use.