What next therapy should I try for an 80‑plus‑year‑old female patient who has failed prior treatments and is currently on an unknown medication 10 mg?

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Last updated: February 10, 2026View editorial policy

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Insufficient Information to Provide Safe Recommendation

I cannot provide a specific medication recommendation for this patient because the question contains critical missing information that makes it impossible to determine the appropriate next therapy.

Critical Missing Information

The current medication is unidentifiable. The question states the patient is on "investigate 10 mg," which does not correspond to any known medication name in standard medical practice or the provided evidence 1. Without knowing what medication has already failed, I cannot recommend an appropriate next-line therapy.

What Information Is Needed

To provide a safe and evidence-based recommendation, I require:

  • The actual diagnosis - The evidence provided covers multiple myeloma 2, chronic lymphocytic leukemia 2, follicular lymphoma 2, mantle cell lymphoma 2, and peripheral T-cell lymphoma 2. Each has completely different treatment algorithms.

  • The current medication name - Knowing what "investigate 10 mg" actually refers to is essential, as treatment sequencing depends on prior therapies 2.

  • Prior treatment history - The number and type of previous therapies determines which regimens are appropriate next 2.

  • Patient's functional status - For elderly patients in their late 80s, fitness assessment is crucial for treatment selection, as guidelines distinguish between "fit," "vulnerable," and "terminally ill" patients with different treatment goals 2.

Clinical Approach

Before prescribing any medication to an elderly patient, calculate creatinine clearance using the Cockcroft-Gault formula 3, as serum creatinine alone underestimates renal dysfunction in elderly patients with reduced muscle mass 4, 5, 3.

Clarify the diagnosis and current medication with the patient's medical records or prior treating physician before making any treatment changes 1, 6.

References

Research

Screening for Medication Appropriateness in Older Adults.

Clinics in geriatric medicine, 2018

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Guideline

Colistin Dose Adjustment in Elderly Patients with Renal Impairment

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2026

Guideline

Dosificación y Administración de Levofloxacino en Pacientes con Enfermedad Renal Crónica

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Guideline

Renal Function Considerations in Levetiracetam Dosing

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Research

Choosing the best medications.

American family physician, 1996

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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