PHARMACOKINETIC OPTIMIZATION OF DRUG-THERAPY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS

With increasing age, there are a number of physiological changes that affect the handling of drugs in the human body. Increases in body fat percentage as well as decreases in lean body mass, hepatic metabolism and renal elimination capacity are of particular clinical significance . It is important to take these changes into account when choosing dru g therapy for older patients in order to minimise adverse effects and maximise potential benefits. This is particularly important when presc ribing drugs with a narrow therapeutic index such as digoxin, theophyl line, phenytoin, lidocaine (lignocaine) or warfarin. When available, m onitoring of plasma concentrations can assist in the optimisation of d rug dosage.