[Combination drugs in geriatrics. The need for clinical studies in this special age group].

Multimorbidity frequently prompts the use of multiple drugs with the aim of treating the individual diseases simultaneously. Ingestion of a number of different drugs incurs the risk of early and more frequent side effects, as well as interactions between the various drugs. There is a tendency among patients of all age groups, intentional or unintentional not to take their medication. Among elderly patients regular compliance is a special problem. Reduction of the high consumption of drugs by the elderly is possible by therapy with combination drugs. The present paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages.