Geriatric Dosage Handbook

Sample Pages 1 (pdf)
Sample Pages 2 (pdf)
Sample Pages 3 (pdf)

Overview

Many physiologic changes occur with aging, some of which affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of medications. For many drugs, exact dosing guidelines for geriatric patients have not been established and most references do not specifically address the use of medications in the elderly. The Geriatric Dosage Handbook provides specific considerations when using drug therapy in older adults, compiled from the current literature and clinical experience.

Benefits

This resource contains geriatric-sensitive information throughout each drug monograph, including extensive content on drug interactions and drug dosing in the elderly and adults, as well as in patients with renal/hepatic impairment. Tall-Man lettering is used to help distinguish between look-a-like medication names. A complete Pharmacologic Category Index and Appendix provide valuable supplemental information.

Updates to this Edition

• 31 New Drug Monographs
• New Appendix Topics
• Immunization Administration Recommendations
• Renal Function Estimation in Adult Patients
• Updated Appendix Content
• Depression Scales
• Diabetes Mellitus Management, Adults
• Immunization Recommendations
• Pressure Ulcer Treatment
• Updated Introductory Information
• FDA Name Differentiation Project: The Use of Tall-Man Letters

Editors

Todd P. Semla, MS, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP, AGSF
Dr Semla received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, his Master of Science in Clinical Pharmacy, and his Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the University of Iowa. After earning his doctorate, Dr Semla was awarded the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Fellowship in Geriatric Pharmacotherapy which he completed at the University of Iowa.

Dr Semla has more than 20 years experience in geriatric pharmacotherapy in a variety of clinical settings including ambulatory care, acute care and rehabilitation, and the nursing home. He is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in the Department of Veterans Affairs Pharmacy Benefits Management and an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University.

Dr Semla is the Editor for the section "Drugs and Pharmacology," for the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society and Chair of the Panel on Alzheimer's Disease for The Annals of Pharmacotherapy. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). He is currently President-elect of the American Geriatrics Society.

Judith L. Beizer, PharmD, FASCP
Dr Beizer received her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the St Louis College of Pharmacy and then earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Tennessee. After pursuing a residency in clinical pharmacy at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, she completed a fellowship in geriatric pharmacy at Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY. During her fellowship, Dr Beizer was involved in a National Institute on Aging (NIA) grant concerning medication use and pharmacist intervention in community-dwelling elderly.

Dr Beizer is Chair and Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy Practice at St John's University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions. As part of her duties, she serves as Clinical Coordinator for Pharmacy at The Parker Jewish Institute for Healthcare and Rehabilitation, a long-term and sub-acute care facility in New Hyde Park, NY. At this facility she has expanded clinical pharmacy services and oversees students on rotation. Dr Beizer speaks regularly on the topic of medication use in the elderly and has published articles and abstracts on various issues in geriatric pharmacotherapy.

Dr Beizer is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), and the American Geriatric Society (AGS). She is a past chairperson of the ASHP Special Interest Group on Geriatric Pharmacy Practice. She currently serves on the Board of Commissioners for the Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy. Dr Beizer is on the Editorial Advisory Board of The Consultant Pharmacist.

Martin D. Higbee, PharmD
Dr Higbee received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from The University of Utah in 1973. After a year of pharmacy practice and clinical pharmacy experience at The University of Utah, he entered the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program at The University of Texas at San Antonio. After graduation in 1977, he joined the University of Utah College of Pharmacy faculty. He became involved in development of the Salt Lake Veteran Administration Medical Center's Geriatric Treatment and Evaluation Unit, and after the establishment of this unit, Dr Higbee created an ASHP accredited post-doctoral Geriatric Residency through the Veteran's Administration Medical Center and The University of Utah College of Pharmacy. Dr Higbee was also on the editorial staff for the Eli Lily - AACP Geriatric Curriculum for Pharmacists project which created a geriatric textbook and curriculum for educators.

Dr Higbee joined the faculty at The University of Arizona in 1987. As part of his teaching responsibilities, he is a Clinical Pharmacist Consultant for the Hospital-Based Primary Care Team (division of Geriatric Care Center) at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona, where he is preceptor for doctor of pharmacy students. He is also a nursing home consultant for local nursing homes in Arizona.

Dr Higbee regularly speaks locally and nationally on geriatric drug therapy topics and has published articles, chapters, and abstracts on various geriatric research and pharmacotherapy issues. He is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), and American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). He is a past chairman of the ASHP Special Interest Group on Geriatric Pharmacy Practice and past member of the AACP Task Force on Aging.