effects of drugs

Question 1

in regard to effects of drugs on older adults, what are they often intolerant of

Answer 1

intolerant of standard doses traditionally prescribed to younger adults

Question 2

the physiologic changes related to aging make drug therapy more complex and challenging, what do these changes affect

Answer 2

absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion

Question 3

what are some factors that can affect the effect of drugs in older adults

Answer 3

intolerant to standard doses
age related changes that affect absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
opioid use (may be used to manage both acute and persistent pain)
chronic disease

Question 4

what age related changes can affect medication absorption of oral route medications

Answer 4

increase in gastric PH; decrease in gastric blood flow; decrease in GI motility

Question 5

what age related changes can affect drug distribution

Answer 5

smaller amounts of total body water
increased ratio of adipose tissue to lean body mass
decreased albumin level
decreased cardiac output
results in increased adipose tissue to lean body mass

leads to decreased concentration of medication in plasma but increased concentration of tissue

Question 6

what age related changes can affect drug metabolism

Answer 6

often occurs in liver– decrease in liver size
decrease in liver blood flow
decrease in serum liver enzyme activity

leads to increased plasma concentrations of a medication

Question 7

what age related changes can affect drug excretion

Answer 7

decreased renal blood flow
reduced glomerular filtration rate

result in a decreased creatinine clearance (CrCl) and thus a slower excretion time for medications