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Article: AHRQ finds high consumption of 'inappropriate' drugs in disabled.(Medication errors)(Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)(Report)(Brief article)
- Article from:
- Adverse Event Reporting News
- Article date:
- May 6, 2008
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Roughly a quarter of Americans with disabilities age 65 and older reported using at least one prescription drug deemed inappropriate for persons his or her age, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Only about half as many (13%) elderly people without disabilities used inappropriate drugs, according to the analysis of 2004 data.
Thirty-three medications--including Xanax, Demerol, Darvon and Procardia--are regarded as inappropriate for people 65 and older. These medicines should be avoided either because they are ineffective, pose a high risk of side effects, or may be avoided in favor of a safer alternative, ...