Polypharmacy

Question 1

What are pharmacodynamics?

Answer 1

drug affect on the body

Question 2

What are pharmacokinetics?

Answer 2

how body works on the drug

Question 3

In terms of pharmacodynamics how can a drug affect a body differently in the elederly?

Answer 3

Elderly more prone to ADR(falls eg postural hypotension, confusion eg sedatives, bowels eg diarrhoea) and more susceptible to hypotension

Question 4

In terms of pharmacokinetics how can an elederly body affect the drug metabolism?

Answer 4

higher fat content, less body water

Question 5

What is elimination and why is it important in the elderly?

Answer 5

Renal clearance

renal function declines with age- look at creatinine clearance

Question 6

Name some common drug interactions

Answer 6

macrolides and statins, amlodipine and simvastatin, warfarin and grapefruit juice

Question 7

How can Parkinsons affect drugs?

Answer 7

dysphagia, confusion, low water content, decreased bowel emptying, weight, renal decrease