Perfil de uso de medicamentos por idosos assistidos pelo Programa de Aten？？o ao Idoso (P.A.I.) da UNIJUí

the aging process is characterized by several bodily transformations, which can changes the effect of many drugs and be inappropriate to the elderly, due to the lack of efficacy or adverse effects outweigh the benefits. this paper aimed to identify the drugs used by elderly attending the elderly care program (ecp), and investigate the use of potentially inappropriate drugs in this population. it was a quantitative and descriptive study with secondary data collection from medical records/registers of the elderly by ecp (university extension project of unijuí). among the elderly enrolled, 16 received and / or are receiving drug therapy with pharmaceutical follow-up. the sample comprised 11 women, mean age 75.2±7.5 years. each elderly receives 3.3±7.3 drugs on average. polypharmacy was found in 15 elderly. among the 117 drugs in use, considering replications, 13 are considered inappropriate for elderly, especially diazepam and fluoxetine, each used by three elderly. it is necessary to reduce the use of inappropriate drugs to improve the quality of life of elderly. this requires the collaboration of the prescriber and pharmacist, who is responsible for evaluating the prescription, identifying risks related to therapeutic intervention and communicate with the prescriber, providing information and suggestions that facilitate the use of health services.