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Related Concept Videos

Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients01:15

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 Age01:27

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 Excretion01:18

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...
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption01:22

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 Distribution01:00

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the human body is influenced by several factors, including plasma protein concentration, body composition, blood flow, tissue-protein concentration, and tissue fluid pH. Among these, changes in plasma protein concentration and body composition due to aging significantly affect how drugs are distributed within the body. Specifically, aging is associated with a decrease in albumin levels by about 10% and an increase in α1-acid glycoprotein levels. These alterations are not...
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism01:18

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...

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Therapeutic Massage for Psychological Well-being in Geriatric Oncology
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Therapeutic Massage for Psychological Well-being in Geriatric Oncology

Published on: May 22, 2026

Issues in geriatric drug therapy.

D Robertson, D H Danforth

    Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
    |January 26, 2011
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    This review examines how aging and common elderly diseases impact drug handling and explores adverse effects of medications for prevalent conditions in older adults.

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    Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
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    Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses

    Published on: August 30, 2018

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    Therapeutic Massage for Psychological Well-being in Geriatric Oncology
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    Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
    11:17

    Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses

    Published on: August 30, 2018

    Area of Science:

    • Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine
    • Clinical Pharmacology
    • Pharmacotherapy

    Background:

    • Aging significantly alters physiological processes, influencing pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
    • Common diseases in the elderly, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, can exacerbate drug-related issues.
    • Polypharmacy is prevalent in older adults, increasing the risk of adverse drug events.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To provide a concise overview of how aging affects drug handling in the elderly.
    • To review the impact of common elderly diseases on drug metabolism and disposition.
    • To summarize adverse effects associated with drugs used for three common indications in this population.

    Main Methods:

    • Literature review of existing studies on aging, drug handling, and adverse drug events in the elderly.
    • Synthesis of information regarding pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes associated with aging.
    • Analysis of adverse effects reported for commonly prescribed medications in older adults.

    Main Results:

    • Aging-associated physiological changes (e.g., reduced renal/hepatic function) impair drug clearance.
    • Comorbidities in the elderly can lead to drug-drug interactions and altered drug responses.
    • Specific drug classes used for common elderly conditions (e.g., cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic) have distinct adverse effect profiles.

    Conclusions:

    • Understanding age-related changes in drug handling is crucial for safe and effective pharmacotherapy in older adults.
    • Careful consideration of comorbidities and potential adverse effects is necessary when prescribing for the elderly.
    • Optimizing drug regimens can mitigate risks and improve patient outcomes in geriatric populations.