Question

Explain why a knowledge of pharmacokinetics is important for medical professionals to have and discuss the ways in which older people respond differently to drugs than younger adults.

Answer 1

Answer.

an effective pharmacological treatment requires that the medical practitioners have precise knowledge about the active substances and the form in which the drug is administered in order to avoid the possibility  of side-effects. The pharmacokinetic properties of a substance and the relationship of these to the desired effect or side-effect is often not considered adequately. these days, most drugs are administered simultaneously in combination to polymorbid and usually older patients.

However, there can be challenges to the efficacy of these drugs in older patients Because of functional disruptions of various body organs, and potential interactions between the drugs. As a result, The consequences of the mixing of drugs cannot be adequately predicted without intricate knowledge of the drugs pharmacokinetics.

In general, rate of absorption, metabolism and excretion of a drug changes with Ageing. Poly pharmacy is more common in older patients as older adults are more likely to suffer from multiple medical conditions which can add to medication problems. Compared to younger patients, Drug absorption is reduced in the older patient due to loss of mucosal intestinal surface, decrease in gastrointestinal blood flow and reduced gastric acidity. Moreover, The decreased muscle and tissue mass and decrease in blood flow to the tissues and organs that occurs in ageing patients influence the distribution of certain drugs and thus the rate of drug metabolism is slower in older patients compared to younger patients. Thus, because of the age related differences in the effects of drugs, different patients may respond differently to the same dosage and type of drugs and the knowledge of pharmacokinetics can thus prove helpful in avoiding drug toxicity and ensure successful results with drug therapy.