The American journal of geriatric pharmacotherapy
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Am J Geriatr Pharmacother · Dec 2006
ReviewRasagiline (TVP-1012): a new selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor for Parkinson's disease.
This article reviews the chemistry, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, tolerability, drug-interaction potential, indications, dosing, and potential role of rasagiline mesylate, a new selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) type B (MAO-B) inhibitor, in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. ⋯ Despite the well-documented selectivity of rasagiline, the manufacturer recommends virtually all of the dietary (vis-à-vis tyramine) and drug restrictions of the nonselective MAO inhibitors. Although useful, selective MAO-B inhibitors have a limited role in Parkinson's disease. Of greater interest is the potential neuroprotective effect of rasagiline and its major metabolite, 1(R)-aminoindan, which may have great utility in a wide variety of neurodegenerative disorders of aging. In addition, bifunctional molecules combining selective MAO-B inhibition (based on the active moiety of rasagiline) with acetylcholinesterase inhibition or iron chelation may eventually be useful in Alzheimer's disease.
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Published guidelines have identified propoxyphene as an inappropriate medication for use in aged patients. It is no more effective than acetaminophen, yet has been associated with the same adverse effects (AEs) associated with other opioid drugs. In particular, its central nervous system-related AEs, dizziness and sedation, may increase the risk for fracture resulting from falls in older adults. Nonetheless, US studies have reported widespread use of propoxyphene in the elderly US population. ⋯ The results of this cohort database study suggest that propoxyphene use among adults aged > or =65 years is associated with increased risk for hip fracture and suggest a need for interventions to reduce propoxyphene use in older adults. Clinicians should be aware of the risk for hip fracture with other opioids as well and weigh them against potential benefits when prescribing for older adults.
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Am J Geriatr Pharmacother · Sep 2006
Medication reconciliation for reducing drug-discrepancy adverse events.
Medication reconciliation is a technique for identifying discrepancies in drug regimens prescribed in different care settings or at different time points to inform prescribing decisions and prevent medication errors. ⋯ Pharmacist medication reconciliation and communication with the physician reduced discrepancy-related ADEs in these patients transferred between the hospital and nursing home. Studies are needed to identify the most efficient ways of carrying out this task and to adapt the reconciliation process to all care settings.
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Am J Geriatr Pharmacother · Jun 2006
Comparative StudyPatterns of cholinesterase-inhibitor use in the nursing home setting: a retrospective analysis.
This study compared dosing and utilization patterns of the cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine in the nursing home setting. ⋯ The results of this study suggest that early effective dosing occurred more often with donepezil than with rivastigmine or galantamine in these nursing home residents. Almost half of residents discontinued donepezil, rivastigmine, or galantamine, whereas rates of switching from one ChEI to another were low.
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Chronic insomnia is common among the elderly These elderly patients are often viewed as difficult to treat, yet they are among the groups with the greatest need of treatment. ⋯ Long-term use of sedative-hypnotics for insomnia lacks an evidence base and has traditionally been discouraged for reasons that include concerns about such potential adverse drug effects as cognitive impairment (anterograde amnesia), daytime sedation, motor incoordination, and increased risk of motor vehicle accidents and falls. In addition, the effectiveness and safety of long-term use of these agents remain to be determined. More research is needed to evaluate the long-term effects of treatment and the most appropriate management strategy for elderly persons with chronic insomnia.