As a rule, a reduction in the usual adult dose of drugs acting on the
central nervous system is to be recommended. The rationale behind this
are the changes in both pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics that ac
cur with increasing age. In the area of intensive care and, to a parti
cular degree, during sepsis, the dynamics and kinetics of all medicina
l drugs employed can show considerable interindividual variations. In
such a situation, it is no longer possible to make generally applicabl
e statements about age-related pharmacological effects. In principle,
however, the same substances are suitable for analgesia in the older p
atient as are used in the younger patient. At present, benzodiazepines
, with their wide therapeutic spectrum, given in combination with opio
ids, represent the most reliable and safest form of analgosedation. In
particular in the aged, however, long-action benzodiazepines should n
ot be administered.