Elderly patients generally require what compared to younger adults?

Elderly patients typically require fewer medications compared to younger adults due to various physiological changes that occur with aging. The elderly often experience altered pharmacokinetics, which affects how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in the body.

As individuals age, there tends to be a decline in organ function, such as renal and hepatic function, which can lead to an increased sensitivity to medications and a higher risk of adverse drug reactions. Therefore, when prescribing medications for elderly patients, healthcare providers often start with lower doses and may achieve therapeutic effects with fewer medications.

Additionally, many elderly patients are managing multiple chronic conditions, which means healthcare providers must carefully select medications that address these conditions without overly complicating the treatment regimen. This careful management often results in a need for fewer, but more appropriately chosen medications that suit the patient’s overall health status and treatment goals.

Consequently, this understanding of geriatric pharmacology supports the notion that older adults often require fewer medications for effective treatment.