This article, written by Sidhesh Phaldessai, provides an overview of geriatric psychopharmacology, including the epidemiology of mental health disorders in the older population, the physiological changes that occur with ageing and their impact on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and the use of psychotropic medications in older adults
Persistent heartburn should be taken seriously
Persistent heartburn should be taken seriously
Healthcare Handbook technical editor Carmen Pope looks at heartburn, including its causes, symptoms and treatment, as well as how to distinguish it from a heart attack
1. Pope C (Tech Ed). Indigestion, Heartburn and Gastritis. Healthcare Handbook 2023–2024. Auckland, NZ: The Health Media Ltd; 2023.
2. New Zealand Formulary. 1.1 Dyspepsia and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. NZF v138; 1 Dec 2023.
3. Mayo Clinic. Heartburn. 13 May 2022.
4. BPACnz. Stopping proton pump inhibitors in older people. 24 January 2019.
5. Medsafe. Medicines containing ranitidine and a potential impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). 26 January 2021.
6. Pharmac. H2 Antagonists. Community Schedule; December 2023.