Therapeutic drug monitoring
Therapeutic drug monitoring is a frequent practice in health care. How does age affect drug absorption, metabolization and excretion?
The use of salt substitutes can cause hyperkalemia in older adults when use in conjunction with what types of drugs?
Describe how you would prevent and evaluate risk factors for medication nonadherence in older adults?
Sample Answer
Aging and Medication Management: A Closer Look
1. Age-Related Changes in Drug Handling
As we age, our bodies undergo various physiological changes that can significantly impact how we absorb, process, and eliminate medications. These changes can increase the risk of adverse drug reactions and make it more challenging to achieve optimal therapeutic effects.
Absorption:
- Slower Gastric Emptying: Food and medications may stay in the stomach longer, delaying absorption.
- Decreased Gastric Acid: Reduced stomach acid can affect the breakdown and absorption of certain medications.
- Reduced Blood Flow to the Gut: This can decrease the absorption of medications.
Metabolism:
- Reduced Liver Function: The liver’s ability to metabolize drugs may decline, leading to higher drug levels in the bloodstream.
- Changes in Enzyme Activity: The activity of enzymes responsible for drug metabolism may decrease, affecting how quickly medications are processed.
Excretion:
- Reduced Kidney Function: The kidneys’ ability to filter and eliminate drugs from the body may decline, leading to drug accumulation and potential toxicity.
- Decreased Renal Blood Flow: Reduced blood flow to the kidneys can further impair drug elimination.