[Diuretics-related complications in elderly patients]

Wien Med Wochenschr. 2010 Jun;160(11-12):276-280. doi: 10.1007/s10354-010-0786-1.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Diuretics are well studied and evaluated for their beneficial use in geriatric patients. However those drugs are often used without taking care of subjects condition or functional impairment. Known side effects of those substances may be increased by combinations of multiple drugs. Polypharmacy is a strong risk factor for the incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADR). ADRs are frequently found in combination with the use of diuretics. The remodelling of human body in aging process and uncontrolled therapeutic strategies seem to be causal for that finding. This article tries to work out the potential risk of the usage of those drugs in geriatric patients and its clinical relevance by using literature published in PubMed.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Austria
  • Dehydration / chemically induced
  • Diuretics / adverse effects*
  • Diuretics / therapeutic use
  • Drug Interactions
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Frail Elderly*
  • Heart Failure / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / drug therapy*
  • Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / chemically induced

Substances

  • Diuretics