Neuropsychiatric Side Effects of Drugs in the Elderly

Background: Arginine is considered a semi-essential amino acid in healthy adults and the elderly. This amino acid seems to improve the immune system, stimulate cell growth and differentiation, and increase endothelial permeability, among other effects. For those reasons, it has been theorized that arginine supplementation may be used as an adjuvant to conventional cancer therapy treatments. Objective: This review aims to evaluate the existing knowledge of the scientific community on arginine supplementation in order to improve the efficacy of current cancer treatment. Results: Despite the continued efforts of science to improve treatment strategies, cancer remains one of the greatest causes of death on the planet in adults and elderly people. Chemo and radiotherapy are still the most effective treatments but at the cost of significant side effects. Conclusion: Thus, new therapeutic perspectives have been studied in recent years, to be used in addition to traditional treatments or not, seeking to treat or even cure the various types of cancer with fewer side effects.

Download Full-text

Importance of Nanoparticles for the Delivery of Antiparkinsonian Drugs

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics13040508 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 508

Author(s):

Sara Silva ◽

António J. Almeida ◽

Nuno Vale

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Dopaminergic Neurons ◽

Lewy Bodies ◽

Pharmacokinetic Profile ◽

The Elderly ◽

Motor Symptoms ◽

Administration Routes ◽

Pharmaceutical Therapy ◽

Drug Pharmacokinetic ◽

The Brain

Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects around ten million people worldwide and is considered the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, there is a higher risk incidence in the elderly population. The main PD hallmarks include the loss of dopaminergic neurons and the development of Lewy bodies. Unfortunately, motor symptoms only start to appear when around 50–70% of dopaminergic neurons have already been lost. This particularly poses a huge challenge for early diagnosis and therapeutic effectiveness. Actually, pharmaceutical therapy is able to relief motor symptoms, but as the disease progresses motor complications and severe side-effects start to appear. In this review, we explore the research conducted so far in order to repurpose drugs for PD with the use of nanodelivery systems, alternative administration routes, and nanotheranostics. Overall, studies have demonstrated great potential for these nanosystems to target the brain, improve drug pharmacokinetic profile, and decrease side-effects.

Download Full-text

Management of Hematologic and Neuropsychiatric Side Effects in Treatment of Chronic HCV Infection

The Journal for Nurse Practitioners ◽

10.1016/j.nurpra.2005.11.012 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 38-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jason E. Farley ◽

David J. Dial ◽

Marguerite Littleton-Kearney

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Hcv Infection ◽

Chronic Hcv Infection ◽

Chronic Hcv ◽

Neuropsychiatric Side Effects

Download Full-text

Arterial hypertension + past stroke – a case report

Medycyna Faktów ◽

10.24292/01.mf.0321.16 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 324-326

Author(s):

Maria Łukasiewicz ◽

Marta Swarowska-Skuza

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Case Report ◽

Chronic Disease ◽

Side Effects ◽

Arterial Hypertension ◽

Antihypertensive Therapy ◽

Systolic Hypertension ◽

The Elderly ◽

Isolated Systolic Hypertension ◽

Special Group

Arterial hypertension, as a very widespread chronic disease, and thus differing in both pathomechanism and course in patients, requires a significant individualization of pharmacotherapy. One such special group is the elderly. Both the low-renin pathomechanism of arterial hypertension and its phenotype (isolated systolic hypertension) imply the choice of a specific pharmacotherapy. Additionally, in this group, side effects should be observed much more vigilantly, while target blood pressure values should be treated more liberally. An example of antihypertensive therapy in a patient belonging to the group described is presented in the following case.

Download Full-text

Aromatherapy Versus Pharmaceutical Interventions for Dementia Related Behaviors Translating & Integrating Scholarship Practicum

Medical & Clinical Research ◽

10.33140/mcr.03.01.02 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Psychotropic Drugs ◽

Elderly Population ◽

The Elderly ◽

Safe Alternative ◽

Pharmaceutical Management ◽

Diagnosis Of Dementia ◽

Number Of Individuals ◽

Relaxing Effect ◽

Pharmaceutical Interventions

The elderly population is expected to double in the next thirty years increasing the number of individuals with the diagnosis of dementia. By proxy, dementia related behaviors such as agitation, anxiety and restless will also increase. Currently, pharmaceutical management of these behaviors include Ativan, Haldol and other psychotropic drugs which have side effects that place individuals at risk for falls and at times even aggravate the behaviors. Although, not widely researched, aromatherapy is a safe alternative to treating Dementia related behaviors. Research shows aromatherapy has a calming and relaxing effect which can be measured physiologically.

Download Full-text

Dual orexin receptor antagonist in treatment of insomnia

Engrami ◽

10.5937/engrami41-29093 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 42 (2) ◽

pp. 57-68

Author(s):

Nikola Trajanović

Keyword(s):

Circadian Rhythm ◽

Side Effects ◽

Receptor Antagonist ◽

Safety Profile ◽

The Elderly ◽

First Line ◽

Future Studies ◽

Good Safety Profile ◽

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

A novel group of medications, dual orexin receptor antagonists, emerged as a competent group that challenges current first-line hypnotics. They have relatively infrequent and mostly well-tolerated side effects, primarily in the form of residual somnolence, fatigue and nightmares/disturbing dreams. The advantage over conventional hypnotics stems from the specifics of their target receptors, which translates into lack of tolerance after long term use and good safety profile. They are particularly favoured in some specific populations, including the elderly. Ongoing and future studies are set to explore their effect on selected conditions, such as addiction and psychiatric disorders, dementias, perimenopausal condition and circadian rhythm disorders, to name a few.

Download Full-text

Patterns of medication use and adherence to medications among residents in the elderly homes

Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.12669/pjms.36.4.1923 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Magda AlGameel

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Patient Education ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Kidney Diseases ◽

Medication Use ◽

The Elderly ◽

Current Therapy ◽

Creative Commons ◽

National Medical ◽

Liver And Kidney

Objective: To evaluate health care related to medication regimens among institutionalized elders in Damanhour, Beheira Governate, Egypt. Methods: A prospective, multi-centered, observational study was conducted in the two elderly residential homes in Damanhour between March and May 2017. A questionnaire was developed and validated to test for elderly socio-economic, chronic diseases, current therapy adherence, vaccination history and patient education. Descriptive and quantitative analysis were performed. Results: sixty-three elderly residents were included in the study. The sample showed broad socioeconomic variability posing a true reflection of Egyptian population. 63.5% had no hearing problems, 31.7% had proper vision and 57% could move with no help. More than three quarters had chronic diseases of which 58.7% were previously hospitalized. The most prevalent diseases were hypertension, diabetes and arthritis 46%, 41.3%, 26.9% respectively. Only 7.9% and 4.7% showed chronic liver and kidney diseases, respectively and less than 10% suffered from respiratory related diseases. No alcohol drinker, 25.3% were smokers and 58.7% drank caffeine. Only 25.3% of residents showed full adherence to their medication pattern. Approximately 80% of residents never received proper patient education. Forty-three residents did not know the indication of their medications and 92% ignored its side effects. Conclusion: Absence of proper medical care exposure for the elderly residents was reflected in their low medication adherence, adverse side effects and hospitalization. We suggest extension of the national medical insurance system to include larger number of elderly population. To monitor the care given concerning medication, a daily resident gerontological nurse needs to be assigned, visits by clinical pharmacists weekly or bi-weekly from the nearby governmental hospital can improve improper medication. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.1923 How to cite this:Algameel M. Patterns of Medication use and adherence to medications among residents in the elderly homes. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.1923 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Download Full-text