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Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients

Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients

Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...

Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age

Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age

Age-related pharmacokinetic changes are extensively documented, but understanding age-related pharmacodynamic alterations is relatively limited. This knowledge gap can be partly attributed to the complexity of developing appropriate measures of drug responses compared to bioanalytical methods for determining drug concentrations.Most information regarding age-related differences in human pharmacodynamics originates from cross-sectional studies. However, these studies assume that observed mean...

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption

As individuals age, their body's physiology evolves, affecting drug pharmacokinetics. The most apparent changes occur in the gastrointestinal tract, where an increase in gastric pH, a delay in gastric emptying, and a reduction in gastrointestinal motility are observed. Remarkably, these changes do not substantially modify the absorption of orally administered drugs, particularly those absorbed via passive diffusion.Transdermal drug delivery emerges as a highly viable method for older adults due...

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism

Geriatric patients show significant variation in how their bodies process medications, which can change how effective and safe treatments are. The liver is the primary organ where drug metabolism occurs, involving two main types of chemical reactions: phase I and II. Phase I metabolism is driven by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, which includes key types such as CYP3A, CYP2D6, and CYP2C9. Research indicates that while aging doesn't notably alter the levels or activity of these enzymes, it...

Drug Toxicity: Risk factors

Drug Toxicity: Risk factors

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are potential complications that arise during pharmacotherapy, influenced by multiple risk factors. Age plays a significant role; both neonates and the elderly are at heightened risk due to their respective immature and diminished metabolic and elimination processes. Gender also impacts ADRs, with females experiencing a 1.5 to 1.7-fold greater risk than males, which may be linked to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and hormonal differences. Notably, neonates, the...

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion

In geriatric patients, renal physiology undergoes significant changes, including diminished renal blood flow and a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR), leading to alterations in medication clearance. Drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, lithium, and digoxin, which rely on glomerular filtration for removal from the body, particularly impact pharmacokinetics. These drugs tend to have slower clearance rates in older adults, necessitating careful dosage considerations.Evaluation of renal...

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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit

Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit

Published on: September 30, 2020

Adverse drug events in the elderly.

Kathrin M Cresswell¹, Bernard Fernando, Brian McKinstry

¹Division of Community Health Sciences, General Practice Section, University of Edinburgh, 20 West Richmond Street, Edinburgh EH8 9DX, UK.

British Medical Bulletin

|June 21, 2007

Summary

Adverse drug events (ADEs) in the elderly are a significant concern. Simple system changes can effectively reduce the burden of preventable medication-related harm in older populations.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit

Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit

Published on: September 30, 2020

Area of Science:

Geriatric Medicine
Patient Safety Research
Pharmacovigilance

Background:

Iatrogenic disease poses a significant burden, driving international efforts to enhance patient safety.
Adverse drug events (ADEs) are a major focus due to their high incidence, especially in elderly populations.

Purpose of the Study:

To review epidemiological data on medication-related adverse events in the elderly.
To identify causes of ADEs in older adults.
To propose practical strategies for safer prescribing in high-risk populations.

Main Methods:

A narrative review methodology was employed.
Epidemiological data on medication-related adverse events in the elderly were summarized.
Causes and preventative strategies were considered.

Main Results:

A substantial proportion of ADEs in the elderly are potentially preventable.
Systems-based issues are critical contributors to ADEs in this demographic.
Promising approaches targeting systems issues have emerged.

Conclusions:

Simple modifications to healthcare systems can significantly decrease the incidence and impact of medication-related adverse events in the elderly.