1. Pocket Guide for Medication Prescribing for Older Adults
Polypharmacy Quick Facts
≥6 meds80% chance of drug-drug interaction
1/5 admissions for patients ≥65 years old is linked to adverse drug event
Highest risk: anticoagulants, DM meds, digoxin
General Considerations
Try non-pharmacologics first
With any new med: Start Low, Go Slow
Avoid prescribing cascades
Medication appropriateness guide: AGS Beers List (
Suggested Medications for Common Complaints
Constipation
Docusate, senokot, polyethylene glycol
Depression/ anxiety
Sertraline, citalopram
Diarrhea/IBS
Psyllium
GERD
PPIs
Insomnia
Trazodone mg or mirtazapine mg
Nausea
Ondansetron
Pain
Acetaminophen, topical anesthetics
Pruritus
Topical steroids

2. Pocket Guide for Medication Prescribing for Older Adults
Medications Causing Common Complaints
Medications to Avoid
Supported by the
Geriatric Medicine Donald W. Reynolds Foundation
Constipation/impaction
CCB, anticholinergics, opiates, incontinence meds
Delirium/AMS
TCAs, anticholinergics, benzos, opiates, steroids, sleep aids
Falls
Anticholinergics, antiHTNs, sleep aids, antipsychotics, TCAs, SSRIs
Urinary Retention
Anticholinergics, incontinence meds, a-blocker deficiency
Card
Digoxin, clonidine
GI/GU
H2 blockers, oxybutynin, metoclopramide, prochlorperazine, promethazine, diphenoxylate/atropine
Pain
Chronic NSAIDs, ketorolac, meperidine, muscle relaxants
Pulm
Theophylline
Psych
Benzos, TCAs, antipsychotics
Misc
Doxepin, meclizine, diphenhydramine