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Signs and Symptoms of Possible Drug Misuse
Only licensed personnel such as Registered Nurses or Licensed Vocational Nurses can by law, administer medications to patients within medical facilities. In the home paid caregivers can remind individuals to self-administer medications, and of course there are no restrictions for family caregivers. It is important for caregivers to be aware of the signs and symptoms of medication misuse as elderly individuals are the highest users of prescription drugs and are at the greatest risk of the effects of drug interactions.
Elderly individuals tend to have more than one prescription and complicated medication regimens. Due to physical changes that occur there are four changes that effect the proper utilization of mediation. These include:
- Absorption. This refers to the amount of time required to enter the blood stream. Normal age changes that occur in the gastrointestinal system effect absorption of drugs.
- Distribution: Refers to how effectively the medication reaches the target. Normal age changes in the cardiovascular system, changes in the kidney, and changes in body mass affect how medication reaches its target. Older individuals therefore, require lower dosages of medications.
- Metabolism. Changes in liver function effects how medications are metabolized. As we age metabolism is less effective which means medications stay in the blood stream longer than younger individuals.
- Excretion. Normal age changes in kidney function have the greatest impact on changes on the levels of medication in the bloodstream, which again means that drugs stay in the blood stream longer.
Signs and Symptoms of Possible Drug Misuse:
There are many experimental drugs available for dementia. Several with severe side effects. Families must weigh the side-effects of the drugs with potential benefits. Currently, Aricept and Exelon are current drugs commonly prescribed for individuals diagnosed with dementia. No matter what type of drugs are prescribed, family members should be aware of signs and symptoms of potential medication abuse and misuse. These include:
- Mood swings--aggression, hostility, or defensiveness
- Increased anxiety and irritability
- Sudden confusion
- Changes in balance
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Lethargy or apathy
- Sleep changes
- Unusual dizziness
- Changes in Moods
pp. 135-170 Beckerman, Anita G. and Tappen, Ruth. M. 2000. It Takes More Than Love. Health Professions Press: Baltimore, MD.
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