Drug administration: Lorazepam
A number of changes occur with advancing age including pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, homeostatic mechanism become impaired, and coexisting diseases leads to increase in sensitivity to certain drugs and incidence of adverse effects. At older age most patients tend to several drugs both prescribed and over-the-counter which means that considerations should be made based on absorption of the co-prescribed drugs (Barton, et al., 2014). Lorazepam belongs to a class of drugs referred to as benzodiazepines. They action is on the central nervous system that is the nerves and the brain to produce a calming effect by enhancing the effects of GABA. GABA is a natural chemical in the body that blocks the impulses between nerve cells in the brain. Lorazepam is the most common used drug in the treatment of older people which anxiety related disorders. For those receiving the doses even for a short time of three weeks it is associated with several negative effects on cognitive performance especially memory (Tannenbaum, 2015). Drugs administered with lorazepam should be carefully examined due to the effects that occur as a result of drug-drug interaction.
Before making a decision to use a certain drug, the physician must weigh the risks and the good the drug will do. Before administering Lorazepam, it is very crucial to rule out if the patients has conditions such as kidney disease, psychosis, breathing problems, or alcohol abuse because these problems affects how the drug works (Tannenbaum, 2015). The drug should also not be stopped immediately but instead reduce gradually become some conditions worsen when abruptly stopped. Therefore a rational approach is very important especially with the increased number of over-the –counter drugs. It the responsibility of the healthcare workers to reduce polypharmacy which may lead to non-compliance, communicate with our patients in a way they understand , and simplifying drug regime such as using one day or in combined preparations where possible.
Reference
Barton, S., Karner, C., Salih, F., Baldwin, D. S., & Edwards, S. J. (2014). Clinical effectiveness of interventions for treatment-resistant anxiety in older people; a systematic review. Health Technology Assessment, 18(50), 1-60.
Tannenbaum, C. (2015). Inappropriate benzodiazepine use in elderly patients and its reduction. Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience: JPN, 40(3), E27.
