Avoiding common pitfalls of geriatric prescribing.

Ultimate drug levels and, therefore, maximum drug effect in general are inversely related to the function of the organ of excretion. If organ deficit is known, dose reduction should be automatic; if a drug level is very high at an ordinary dose, the organ of excretion should be investigated. The physician must not assume that a patient is not taking drugs just because the physician himself has not prescribed them. The elderly take more over-the-counter drugs than other segments of the population and frequently go to many health care providers.