ABSTRACT
There are several reasons why older people are at increased risk from
drug interactions (Box 37). Both increasing age and the presence of
mental health problems increase the likelihood that a patient will have
significant physical problems. Older people with, for example, depres-
sion or dementia are in double jeopardy from a whole range of physical
illnesses, particularly those affecting the cardiovascular and respiratory
systems. The presence of a significant physical illness increases the
chances that a patient will require treatment with drugs that might give
rise to an adverse interaction if given together with drug treatment for
the psychiatric condition. Such physical illness increases vulnerability to
severe or irreversible consequences from any adverse drug interaction.
