Geriatric dosage form

The development of oral dosage forms that disintegrate or dissolve in the mouth is providing LCM opportunities for pediatric, geriatric, or bedridden patients who have difficulty in swallowing. They are also being used by active adult patients who may not have ready access to water for swallowing tablets or capsules. 

The elderly are also more likely to suffer from chronic disease and multiple disease states and therefore receive long-term treatment with medications. Considering the high medication utilization of geriatric patients, it is pertinent to focus on geriatric dosing and dosage forms. 

Geriatric Dosing and Dosage Forms Table 3 Medications affected by changes in sensitivity 1909... 

Kottke MK, Stetsko G, Rosenbaum SR, et al. Problems encountered by the elderly in the use of conventional dosage forms. J Geriatr Drug Ther 1990 5 77-91. 

The oral administration of liquid dosage forms of suitable consistency and with sustained release characteristics may provide a means of improving the compliance of geriatric patients who experience difficulties in swallowing conventional solid dosage forms. 

---