Drugs prescribed for the elderly.

The elderly constitute an increasing fraction of the population. Their lengthy exposure to the hazards of life makes them more likely to be suffering from chronic conditions as well as the inevitable effects of age itself. Many are receiving or have received prolonged courses of treatment by one or more drugs. This report summarizes the common medications and the typical doses which were being administered to 833 patients of whom all but 79 were age 65 or over.