title: [Elements of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics].
abstract: A knowledge of pharmacokinetic data is particularly important with drugs that have a narrow margin of safety. Exhaustive pre-marketing pharmacokinetic investigations and pharmacokinetic studies in populations are the two principal means of acquiring such knowledge. Although popular, the concept of half-life which decreases with age for many drugs is insufficient to calculate dosage in elderly people. Measurements of creatinine clearance provide an almost mathematical approach to the dosage of drugs that are excreted exclusively by the kidneys. In contrast, changes in hepatic metabolism with age and pathology are difficult to evaluate, and their consequences are often vaguely perceived. Our knowledge of relationships between age and pharmacodynamics is still in infancy. Owing to the wide consumption of medicine by elderly people, drug interactions are frequent at all stages, including absorption, metabolization, transport and site of action.
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine interne-gérontologie, hôpital Charles-Foix, Ivry-sur-Seine.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Piette
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Soubrie
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010599:Pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
vernacular_title: Eléments de pharmacodynamique et de pharmacocinétique.