Pharmacokinetics is a crucial topic for medical health professionals because it relates to drugs and their absorption into human bodies. Knowledge of pharmacokinetics helps medical professionals understand the length of time required for particular drugs to be absorbed and function before excretion happens. In addition, the drug’s metabolization duration can also be determined by studying the pharmacokinetics of a particular medication. Therefore, to enhance patients’ safety in medication administration, medical professionals must have adequate knowledge concerning the pharmacokinetics of relevant drugs (Li et al., 2019). For instance, the rate at which a drug is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract determines its suitability to be administered orally.
Older patients respond differently to drugs compared to young persons due to changes in the body during aging. Most drugs are metabolized in the liver with high concentrations of CYP450 enzyme (Li et al., 2019). Drug metabolism is one of the steps in drug pharmacokinetics that allows the medication to be converted to substances that can easily be excreted. In old age, the liver has a decreased ability to process drugs, indicating that medication should be administered at small volumes to avoid related adverse effects. In addition to decreased liver functionality, the kidney’s ability to detoxicate drug constituents decreases with aging (Li et al., 2019). Most water-soluble medications and their metabolites are mainly eliminated from the body by the kidney through urine which slows at an older age.
Several issues and problems are involved in safe medication use for the elderly. Drug-related issues in older adults include drug ineffectiveness, dosage problems, improper treatment, and drug interactions (Khan & Roberts, 2018). While adverse drug effects can affect anyone, older adults are more susceptible due to characteristics such as age-related changes. Additionally, older adults often take several drugs to treat different conditions that affect their pharmacodynamics profile and increase the risk of adverse drug reactions.
Caregivers, medical professionals, and elderly patients should know different requirements and considerations concerning prescribed and over-the-counter drugs. Elderly patients are prone to drug-related complications due to the body’s changes in functioning. One of the factors to consider is the pharmacokinetics profile of the patients to determine the proper route to administer the medications (Khan & Roberts, 2018). The caregivers should understand the allergies and any previous drug complications to avoid repletion of previous mistakes. Further, instructions from medical professionals should be followed, and consultations should be pursued before using over-the-counter drugs. Some drugs should not be combined due to possible reactions. When starting a new drug, the patient and the caregiver should check the details of the drug and establish why it has been prescribed (Khan & Roberts, 2018). All special instructions should be analyzed and followed as instructed, or request clarification if anything seems unclear. Finally, all should understand the related side effects of the medication and establish if the patient can use the drug without incurring any harm.
Dietary supplements and herbs include a variety of ingredients, including amino acids, different enzymes, microbials, and metabolites. The rules for using dietary supplements differ significantly from those of prescription and over-the-counter medications (Routledge et al., 2021). It is inappropriate for physicians to assume that dietary supplements and herbs do not impact a patient’s health. Every biologically active substance has benefits and risks linked to its usage. To effectively understand the risks and benefits, physicians must analyze the ingredients of the remedies by discussing them with the patients.
Additionally, labeling requirements for over-the-counter and prescription drugs differ from those for dietary supplements and herbs, which may not be accurate. Therefore, physicians should seek to know the dietary supplements and herbs used by patients in order to ensure safety when administering drugs. For instance, specific products such as ginger, ginseng, and cayenne can cause excessive bleeding and should not be used shortly before surgery (Routledge et al., 2021). While products may be considered natural, they can still be harmful or hinder the functionality of prescribed and over-the-counter drugs.
References
Khan, M. S., & Roberts, M. S. (2018). Challenges and innovations of drug delivery in older age. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 135, 3-38. Web.
Li, Y., Meng, Q., Yang, M., Liu, D., Hou, X., Tang, L. & Bi, H. (2019). Current trends in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, 9(6), 1113-1144. Web.
Routledge, P. A., Bracchi, R. C., & Woods, F. J. (2021). Drug interactions with herbal medicines: Mechanisms and implications. Adverse Drug Reaction Bulletin, 326(1), 1263-1266. Web.