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Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes in the elderly. Clinical implications
A Hämmerlein1, H Derendorf, D T Lowenthal
1Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
Clinical Pharmacokinetics
|July 23, 1998
Summary
Aging significantly alters how the body processes drugs (pharmacokinetics) and how drugs affect the body (pharmacodynamics), especially in the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. Further research is needed to fully understand these age-related drug response changes.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric clinical pharmacology
- Drug metabolism and action in aging populations
Background:
- Aging impacts drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (pharmacokinetics).
- Age-related changes in drug effects (pharmacodynamics) are prominent in the cardiovascular and neuroendocrine systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review age-dependent alterations in drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
- To highlight effects on the cardiovascular and central nervous systems.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on geriatric pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
- Focus on principles and examples related to major organ systems.
Main Results:
- Pharmacokinetic changes in the elderly are generally well-characterized.
- Pharmacodynamic changes in aging individuals are less understood and require further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Age-related pharmacokinetic shifts are established, but pharmacodynamic alterations remain an active area of geriatric pharmacology research.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for optimizing drug therapy in older adults.