Principles of drug therapy in older patients: rational drug prescribing.

Health care providers must be aware of the issues involved in using drugs therapies in older patients because older patients are very vulnerable to the adverse effects of drugs. Although more data are needed to guide clinical decision making in prescribing drugs to older patients, some simple considerations can make drug use safer and more effective (Table 10). Careful, compassionate attention to these factors can have a profound effect on improving the quality of life, medication use, and the overall cost of health care in this vulnerable population.