RELEVANCE OF PHARMACOKINETICS AND PHARMACODYNAMICS

Appropriate and rational use of drugs in the elderly is a matter of gr owing medical and social concern. The elderly as a group are particula rly prone to adverse drug reactions. Such reactions have often been du e to inappropriate drug prescribing, based on incomplete recognition a nd knowledge of changes in drug handling with age and pathological sta tes associated with ageing. Recognition of such changes with modificat ion of prescribing practice may lead to benefits by minimising the inc idence of adverse drug reactions. This article discusses the current k nowledge of age-related changes in drug absorption, distribution, clea rance and sensitivity and some implications of these changes for clini cal therapeutics in the elderly.