Antimicrobial Pharmacotherapy in the Elderly

Ahmet ALTUNa , Gülşah ALTUNb

aSivas Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Pharmacology, Sivas, Türkiye
bSivas State Hospital, Clinical of Internal Medicine, Sivas, Türkiye

ABSTRACT
Infections in the elderly are prevalent due to age-related physiological changes, reduced immunity, and comorbidities. Consequently, antimicrobials are often prescribed to this demographic. This overview delves into the unique challenges of antimicrobial use in the elderly. The altered pharmacokinetics, such as changes in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, play a pivotal role. The elderly’s decreased liver and kidney function can result in drug accumulation, potentially leading to side effects or reduced efficacy. There’s also an increased risk of drug-drug interactions given the polypharmacy common in this age group. Health professionals should be vigilant, tailoring doses and choosing appropriate antimicrobials to ensure optimal therapeutic outcomes and minimal adverse event.
Keywords: Aged; anti-bacterial agents; pharmacokinetics

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