Prescribing to the elderly: a review of the english language canadian literature.

The elderly receive proportionately more prescriptions than any other age group in Canada. In a review of available English language studies in the Canadian literature, the author found that the most common groups of drugs prescribed for the elderly are psychotropic and cardiovascular drugs, principally digoxin and diuretics. Elderly women recieve the bulk of prescriptions for psychotropic agents. Some evidence indicates generalized overprescribing, as well as overprescribing of antihypertensive and psychotropic agents. The elderly seem to be the group most likely to suffer an adverse drug reaction. As the elderly proportion of the population continues to grow, it will become increasingly important to prescribe appropriately to them.