Medicamentos potencialmente inapropriados para idosos em Cuité - PB.

Abstract

Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) for elderly is defined as any medicinal product whose risks outweigh the benefits. Some authors consider these drugs as a major cause of drug reactions in the elderly. Significant percentage of elderly have multiple diseases simultaneously, causing the concomitant use of three or more drugs (polypharmacy). The versions of the Beers criteria and subsequently Beers - Fick became the most cited and used worldwide. The study aimed to characterize the potentially inappropriate medications for the elderly in the city of Cuité -PB. An exploratory, descriptive study with qualitative and quantitative approach was performed. Participated in the study, elderly housing and checking in randomly selected aleatoriamenta census tract via. The sample was predominantly composed of women (67.8%), prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (33.7%), thus being the most widely used class of drugs was for treating these diseases (34.0%). Verified the prevalence of 2.92% use of PIM among the elderly. Three drugs (nifedipine, digoxin and carisoprodol) or potentially inappropriate classes were identified, according to Beers criteria. It was concluded that elderly Cuité used mostly drugs continuously for the treatment of chronic diseases, which have clinical protocols and guidelines that contribute to a safer pharmacotherapy.