The Medicine, Health, and Aging Project
Drug Food Interactions Among the Elderly
Funding
Community Partnership Program
Period
1998-1999
Principle Investigator
Frank M. Ahern, Ph.D.
Co-Investigators
Theresa Brown, M.P.A. - P.A.C.E
Carol Gold, Ph.D. - P.S.U
Debra Heller, Ph.D. - P.S.U
Helen Wright, Ph.D. - P.S.U
Background
Nutritional status and eating behaviors play a significant role in the clinical effects of prescription drugs. Foods may alter the effect of drugs by interfering with pharmacokinetic processes. Pharmacodynamic mechanisms also may be involved in drug-food interactions and certain drugs can have significant effects on eating behaviors.
Objectives
This research—the Medication Safety Program—will be conducted in 3 phases. Phase I and II are subcontracted to MHA from MaGee Rehabilitation Hospital (Principle Investigator: Madelyn McGillin,MSN). Phase I will include a complete descriptive epidemiological study of the extent of risk for drug-food interactions among the elderly and will also examine the association of risk for drug-food interactions with clinical outcomes. Phase II of the study will assess the elderly's knowledge of drug-food risks and will also assess patient reports of outcomes associated with drug-food interactions. Phase III of the study will involve development of programs to reduce drug-food risks. The interventions will be targeted to prescribers, pharmacists, and high-risk elderly groups.