Centre for Policy on Ageing
 

 
Anticoagulant drugs in the elderly
 — the risks usually outweigh the benefits
Author(s)Peter J W Scott
Journal titleBritish Medical Journal, vol 297, no 6658, 12 November 1988
Pagespp 1261, 1263
KeywordsDrugs ; Thrombosis ; Embolism ; Stroke.
AnnotationOlder people are more susceptible to the side effects of drugs, and anticoagulant drugs are no exception. Recommendations for using anticoagulant drugs in older patients mainly concern treating deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and preventing embolic stroke. As the adverse effects of anticoagulants may be fatal, evidence for their efficacy in older patients must be obtained from prospective randomised studies of patients older than 75 who are similar to those seen in everyday practice. Hence, there are good reasons for being extremely cautious before prescribing anticoagulant drugs to older patients. (RH).
Accession NumberCPA-930429049
ClassmarkLLD: CQJ: CQK: CQA *

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