In what way may metabolism of drugs be altered by age?

Metabolism of drugs tends to slow down in older individuals due to various physiological changes that occur with aging. As people age, there are several factors that can affect liver function, enzyme activity, and overall drug clearance from the body. For instance, hepatic blood flow may decrease, and the liver's size may diminish, which can lead to a reduced capacity to metabolize drugs efficiently. Additionally, the activity of phase I and phase II metabolic enzymes often decreases, further contributing to slower metabolism rates.

This reduced metabolic capacity can lead to prolonged drug effects and a higher risk of adverse drug reactions in elderly patients, making careful dosing and monitoring essential. Understanding this aspect of pharmacokinetics is crucial for healthcare providers to ensure the safe and effective use of medications in the elderly population.