Richard Adams*, Jhoseph advar
When the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the medicine are known, the best course of treatment can be chosen. However, choosing the best dose for an older adult might be difficult due to age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as the increased interindividual variance. Suboptimal dose selection, subpar efficacy, and/or increased toxicity are caused by a lack of knowledge about how hepatic clearance and toxicity change with age. The analgesic paracetamol, which has been around for more than 50 years and is frequently ingested by elderly persons, is of special concern. Although paracetamol is generally regarded as a safe medicine, care must be exercised due to its potential for toxicity. Up to 55% of elderly persons who accidentally overdose on paracetamol experience liver damage. A better understanding of how ageing impacts medication toxicity and hepatic clearance can help prescribe medicines for older patients in a way that is supported by the available data, resulting in fewer negative drug reactions without sacrificing effectiveness.
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