Pharmacological Management of Persistent Pain in Older Persons

Drugs without a strong evidence base and outside of recommendations are too often pre- scribed for older adults. Established guidelines such as Beers criteria have identified both specific medications and certain drug classes as inappropriate for older adults, primarily due to adverse effects. Age-related physiological changes in distribution, metabolism, and elimination often alter the effects of pharmacotherapies in older adults. When designing a therapeutic program, all elements contributing to the pathophysiology of painful conditions should be considered, as well as the mechanisms of action of analgesic drug classes. Both appropriate and inappropriate medica- tions for older adults are detailed herein, as…

• ON
  Oncology Nursing Society