PHARMACOKINETICS IN GERIATRIC ANIMALS

In older animals, the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolis ation, and elimination of drugs differ from the conditions observed in younger animals and partly show a considerable interindividual variab ility. The article gives an overview and also some examples of physiol ogical conditions on which age-related peculiarities are based. The fa ct that only little knowledge is available, and the interrelationships between physiologic and pathophysiologic prophysiologic and pathophys iologic processes make it difficult to estimate pharmacokinetic partic ulars in the individual aged patient. General dosage recommendations c an therefore not be given. When treating aged patients, the veterinari an should especially consider a possibly reduced elimination for a pos sible drug treatment schedule.