title: Analgesic and anti-inflammatory therapy in the elderly.
abstract: In the United States today, the number of persons 65 years of age or older is about 25 million. Two thirds of this group have musculoskeletal complaints severe enough to cause them to use considerable quantities of over-the-counter medications to alleviate discomfort. In treating elderly patients with osteoarthritis, one of the most common rheumatic diseases of the elderly, it is imperative for physicians to be aware of the numerous physiologic aspects of aging and how these may affect the pharmacokinetic activity of various prescribed agents. Drug therapy in the elderly should be determined by the principle of least toxicity. Dosage titration is particularly advisable when pharmacokinetic activity of a drug is not known.
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D001823:Body Composition; D001834:Body Water; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011485:Protein Binding; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001798:Blood Proteins