One-third of older emergency department (ED) patients may be taking a potentially inappropriate medication, according to a retrospective analysis from Cleveland Clinic and MetroHealth Medical Center.

The average number of medications taken per patient was 8.4. Of the 352 patients, 111 (32%) were taking at least one potentially inappropriate drug when they arrived at the ED. Propoxyphene/ acetaminophen drug (Darvocet, Xanodyne), muscle relaxants, and antihistamines were the most common ones.

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Which is more effective in preventing hepatotoxicity for patients with acute generic acetaminophen poisoning: 20-hour intravenous (IV) or 72-hour oral – acetylcysteine? According to a Canadian study, it’s important to know when the overdose occurred.

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