Why are older adults at higher risk for toxic effects of medications?

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Older adults are at higher risk for toxic effects of medications primarily due to decreased renal function. As people age, renal function generally declines, which affects the body’s ability to clear medications effectively. The kidneys play a crucial role in drug elimination, and when renal function is compromised, there’s a reduced excretion of medications and their metabolites. This can lead to accumulation of drugs in the bloodstream, increasing the likelihood of adverse effects and toxicity.

In addition to renal function, other physiological changes that occur with aging, such as changes in body composition and metabolic rate, can also influence medication effects, but decreased renal function is the most significant factor directly related to medication dosing and clearance in older adults.

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