What physiological change in older adults can affect drug metabolism?

As individuals age, there are significant physiological changes that can impact how their bodies process medications. One of the most critical changes is the alteration in liver function. The liver is responsible for metabolizing many drugs, and as people get older, liver size may decrease, and blood flow to the liver can reduce. These changes can lead to a decrease in the activity of liver enzymes responsible for drug metabolism, resulting in slower processing of medications and potentially leading to higher levels of drugs in the bloodstream. This can increase the risk of adverse drug reactions and toxicity, making it crucial to consider liver function when prescribing medications to older adults.

Other physiological changes, like increased fat distribution, may affect the distribution of fat-soluble medications but do not directly impact metabolism as significantly as changes in liver function. Decreased lung capacity and altered bone density, while relevant to overall health, do not play a direct role in the metabolic processing of drugs in the body. This highlights the importance of understanding liver health in the context of pharmacology for older populations.