Pharmacotherapy of Gastrointestinal Disorders in the Elderly

Volkan AYDINa , Gökhan TAZEGÜLb

aİstanbul Medipol University International Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Pharmacology, İstanbul, Türkiye
bMarmara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, İstanbul, Türkiye

ABSTRACT
Drugs used in gastrointestinal (GI) disorders hold particular significance in the clinical care of the elderly due to several factors beyond the well-documented pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes associated with aging. These factors are essential to consider when prescribing, dosing, and monitoring the use of GI agents in older adults. Pharmacotherapy of GI disorders requires a holistic approach that considers the clinical complexity of older adults, their multiple medication regimens, nutritional needs, safety concerns, and the balance between managing GI conditions and maintaining overall health. A patient-centered and multidisciplinary approach is necessary for optimizing the use of these drugs in older adults while minimizing potential adverse effects. In this review, we covered the most commonly prescribed and critical drugs that are used in the treatment of GI disorders in the elderly population, aiming to inform and guide pharmacotherapy decisions in clinical practice.
Keywords: Proton pump inhibitors; histamine H2 antagonists; laxatives; antidiarrheals; antiemetics

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