Pharmacy research highlight: Evaluating fall risk in older adults with hyponatremia
Chris Paxos, Pharm.D., BCPP, BCPS, BCGP, professor of pharmacy practice, coauthored an article, titled “Geriatric pharmacotherapy case series: Evaluating fall risk in older adults with hyponatremia,” which was showcased in the October 2025 edition of The Senior Care Pharmacist, a journal published by the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP).
Dr. Paxos became involved with the ASCP after earning his Board Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy (BCGP). His participation in ASCP’s Transitions of Care Committee has given him opportunities to collaborate with other professionals, share insight and contribute to advancing geriatric care. Through his volunteer work and active engagement with the committee, this publication opportunity emerged reflecting his dedication to improving medication management for older adults.
In the recent article, Dr. Paxos and two of his colleagues, Dr. Tatyana Gurvich and Dr. Nahirony Sánchez, walk through a theoretical case about a complex elderly patient with antidepressant-induced hyponatremia as the primary problem. Dr. Gurvich is an associate professor of clinical pharmacy at the University of Southern California. Dr. Sánchez is a clinical pharmacist at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, Kansas. This case highlights how this condition can increase the risk of falls and how pharmacists can identify and manage this issue. Beyond that, the article discusses several other health challenges commonly encountered in older adults, including diabetes, hypertension, dementia and dementia-related psychosis.
The goal of this case series is to help pharmacists working with geriatric patients to think through complex clinical situations and refresh their knowledge of geriatric pharmacotherapy. By analyzing these patient cases, the series encourages pharmacists to consider safer and more effective treatment strategies, especially in patients taking multiple medications. Many older adults remain on neuropsychiatric medications that may not be optimally managed; articles like this serve as an important reminder of best practices and up-to-date care approaches.
In addition to his recent work with ASCP, Dr. Paxos serves as the director of pharmacotherapy at NEOMED. He authored the Substance-Related Disorders chapter in Pharmacotherapy: Principles and Practice, a point of pride, as the topic aligns directly aligns with the course he leads. The topic fits perfectly within his area of expertise in psychiatric psychopharmacology, which he is passionate about teaching pharmacy students.
Dr. Paxos also co-authored an article on the prevalence of benzodiazepine monotherapy, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, a highly regarded journal within Dr. Paxos’ area of expertise. The study analyzed national data to assess patients with depression who were not receiving appropriate pharmacotherapy and found that benzodiazepine monotherapy occurred in approximately 9.3% of cases.
When asked how students and new practitioners can get involved in research, Dr. Paxos emphasized the value of doing excellent work with any opportunity that arises. With multiple publications to his name, including contributions to the Pharmacotherapy Casebook and a nursing textbook, he advised that success in research often builds on itself. As he explained, “Once you get over this little cliff, it’s like a landslide.” In other words, by consistently producing quality work, recognition and new opportunities will naturally follow.
Read Geriatric pharmacotherapy case series: Evaluating fall risk in older adults with hyponatremia
- Submitted by third-year pharmacy students Paramvir Kaur and Henry Brosch; precepted by Danielle Taylor, Pharm.D.