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01-08-2005 | Review Article

Effect of Age-Related Changes in Gastric Physiology on Tolerability of Medications for Older People

Author: Dr Julia L. Newton

Published in: Drugs & Aging | Issue 8/2005

Abstract

Studies specifically examining the effect of age upon the stomach are limited and frequently uncontrolled for the high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in this age group. Age-related changes in gastric physiology such as reduced mucosal protection, gastric blood flow and impaired repair mechanisms may all impact upon gastrointestinal adverse effects and how older people tolerate medicines.

Understanding how the upper gastrointestinal tract changes with advancing age could allow interventions that lead to more appropriate prescribing for older people, potentially reduce adverse effects, increase compliance with treatment regimens, and may allow older people to take medications that they would not otherwise tolerate.

This review emphasises how the stomach changes with age, and how understanding this will aid clinicians when prescribing medications with potential gastrointestinal adverse effects to older people.

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Title: Effect of Age-Related Changes in Gastric Physiology on Tolerability of Medications for Older People
Author: Dr Julia L. Newton
Publication date: 01-08-2005
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: Drugs & Aging / Issue 8/2005
Print ISSN: 1170-229X
Electronic ISSN: 1179-1969
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-200522080-00003

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