title: Pharmacotherapeutics in older adults.
abstract: The process of aging influences both pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. In addition to this, the issue of the increased incidence of chronic diseases as the age of people and the effects of medications in older adults becomes very complex. This article will review the influence of the aging process on the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs. Specific concerns of older adults, including drug groups and side effects of concern, drug-induced geriatric syndromes, and medication adherence, are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Canada. Kathleen.Hunter@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Kathleen F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cyr
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004232:Diuretics / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010599:Pharmacokinetics; D010600:Pharmacology; D019338:Polypharmacy; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D004232:Diuretics; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System