[Drug therapy for the elderly patients with gastric ulcer].

The number of patients with low dose aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-related gastric ulcers is steadily increasing. The elderly patients have higher risk to develop gastric ulcers during these treatments. For the treatment and prophylactic therapy of the ulcers in the elderly, the following points should be recognized. (1) The drugs that are prescribed for ulcer diseases may interact with drugs that have been administered for the treatment of the pre-existing diseases. (2) The decreased motor function of gastrointestinal tract frequently observed in the elderly may interfere with the normal absorption of the drugs administered for the treatment of ulcers. (3) The impaired renal function of the elderly may elevate plasma concentration of administered drugs that are expected to be excreted from kidneys. (4) Appropriate guidance for patients is necessary to keep the compliance of drug therapy for prophylactic treatment of low dose aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.