Management of Drug Therapy in the Elderly

Abstract

DRUG therapy in the elderly is complicated by many factors unique to this age group. Because it requires careful individualization, such therapy should be based on the principles of pharmacokinetics. Multiple disease processes, environmental influences, and genetic variation often combine with the physiologic effects of aging to affect the disposition of drugs in this heterogeneous population (Table 1). It is therefore difficult to generalize about the effects of age alone. Unfortunately, there has been relatively little investigation of the effects of age at the sites of drug action. In addition, little information is available about drug disposition and response in . . .