Carty M A, Everitt D E
Division on Aging, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Geriatrics. 1989 Jun;44(6):85-8, 90-2, 97-8.
Use of drugs in the elderly is associated wih increased risk of adverse side effects and morbidity. This is partly because the elderly have more chronic medical conditions and decreased homeostatic reserve. Pharmacotherapy must be individualized, since the elderly are widely variable, and drugs must be carefully monitored to minimize risk of poor outcomes. The clinician must remember that drugs are only one of the available interventions in geriatric care and that their use entails not only potential for benefit but also considerable risk. It is the clinician's responsibility to practice in such a way that this risk is minimized.
老年人使用药物与不良反应和发病率增加相关。部分原因是老年人患有更多慢性疾病且体内稳态储备能力下降。药物治疗必须个体化，因为老年人个体差异很大，必须仔细监测药物以将不良后果的风险降至最低。临床医生必须记住，药物只是老年护理中可用的干预措施之一，其使用不仅有潜在益处，也存在相当大的风险。以尽量降低这种风险的方式进行诊疗是临床医生的责任。
