Best practice & research. Clinical gastroenterology
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Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol · Dec 2001
ReviewDrug metabolism and drug interactions in the elderly.
In the elderly concomitant use of several drugs (polypharmacy) is very common. Thus, the risk for drug interactions might be increased in this population. Since most drugs are hepatically eliminated by various metabolic pathways, liver function has to be considered as an additional factor modifying drug response. ⋯ The most important metabolic drug-drug interactions are independent of the age of the patients. However, since elderly patients consume a greater proportional share of drugs, they represent a population at risk for interactions. Awareness of this clinical problem may help to diminish those risks.