Geriatric Pharmacology: Safe Medication Use for Older Adults
When you’re over 65, your body doesn’t process drugs the same way it did at 30. That’s where geriatric pharmacology, the study of how medications affect older adults and how aging changes drug response. Also known as pharmacology in the elderly, it’s not just about dosing—it’s about survival. A pill that’s harmless for a 40-year-old can cause falls, confusion, or kidney damage in someone 75. The problem isn’t the drug—it’s that aging slows down liver and kidney function, changes body fat and water balance, and makes the brain way more sensitive to certain chemicals.
Most seniors take polypharmacy—five or more meds at once. That’s not because they’re overmedicated; it’s because they have arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. But when you stack drugs like meclizine, an antihistamine used for dizziness, with Unisom, a sleep aid with diphenhydramine, or prednisolone, a steroid that affects blood sugar and bones, you’re not just adding effects—you’re multiplying risks. These drugs all have anticholinergic properties. In older adults, that means dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, memory lapses, and even delirium. It’s not rare. It’s predictable. And it’s preventable.
Geriatric pharmacology isn’t about avoiding meds—it’s about choosing smarter ones. For example, replacing meclizine with non-drug balance therapy cuts fall risk. Swapping out long-acting benzodiazepines for short-acting sleep aids reduces confusion. And checking for interactions between drugs like methadone, a painkiller that can mess with heart rhythm and common antibiotics is life-saving. The science is clear: older adults need fewer drugs, lower doses, and better monitoring. The posts here show real examples—how to spot dangerous combos, why generic Tylenol can still be risky if kidneys are weak, how DOACs work in obese seniors, and why some meds that work for young people should never be used in older ones. You’ll find practical advice from doctors, pharmacists, and patients who’ve been there. No fluff. Just what you need to keep yourself or a loved one safe while taking what they need.
Medication Dosage Adjustments for Aging Bodies and Organs
Aging changes how your body handles medicine. Learn why seniors need lower doses, which drugs are most dangerous, and how to avoid harmful side effects through proper medication adjustments.