title: Comparison of paracetamol metabolism in young adult and elderly males.
abstract: Paracetamol metabolism was compared in groups of young adult (mean age 20.8 years) and elderly (mean 79.3 years) males. Apparent oral clearance and half-life and partial metabolic clearances to the glucuronide and glutathione-derived conjugates of paracetamol were not significantly different between the two groups. However, the partial metabolic clearance to paracetamol sulphate was 23.1% lower and renal clearance of unchanged drug was 42.9% lower in the elderly compared to the young adults. Despite the decreased clearance by these pathways, reduction in paracetamol dosage should not be necessary in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Miners
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Penhall
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Robson
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Birkett
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000652:urine; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate
chemical_list: D000082:Acetaminophen