Population Variability in Pharmacology

Reduced albumin and other plasma proteins in older adults lead to more free, unbound drugs in the bloodstream, which can result in stronger effects.

Decreased total body water in older adults means water-soluble drugs don't distribute as widely, potentially leading to higher concentrations in the blood.

Age-related changes in cell receptors and signaling can affect how well drugs work in older adults.

Older adults often gain more fat, which can store lipid-soluble drugs and prolong their effects.

Decreased muscle mass in older adults can reduce the amount of drug stored in muscle tissue, potentially affecting how long the drug lasts.

This refers to the study of how genes affect drug response, which can be crucial for individualizing drug treatments.

This branch of pharmacology focuses on how drugs affect the body at a cellular level.

This concept refers to the differences in drug responses between individuals based on factors like age, genetics, and disease.

Older adults have reduced muscle mass, leading to higher plasma levels of drugs like digitalis, potentially causing amplified effects.

Older adults may experience altered blood-brain barrier permeability, leading to increased sensitivity to drugs acting on the central nervous system.

Older adults may have an increased risk of neuroinflammation, further amplifying the effects of central nervous system drugs.

Older adults exhibit decreased sensitivity and capacity to protect the airway and ventilate appropriately, impacting their response to drugs.

Older adults may have reduced renal function, leading to slower drug excretion and potentially prolonged drug effects.

Older adults may have reduced hepatic blood flow and function, influencing drug metabolism, particularly for drugs with a high hepatic extraction ratio.

Neonates have a higher percentage of total body water relative to body mass compared to adults.

Neonates have lower plasma protein levels until about 6 months of age, which can impact drug binding and distribution.

While neonate plasma protein levels reach adult levels by 6 months, their binding capacity might still be reduced compared to adults.

The amount of water in the body increases in infants, leading to lower blood concentrations of water-soluble drugs.

Compared to adults, infants have higher body fat percentage, leading to larger distribution volumes for lipid-soluble drugs.

Infants have a limited ability to produce heat, making them more susceptible to temperature changes.

The protective layer around nerve fibers is not fully developed in newborns, affecting nerve conduction and responses.

The barrier between the blood and brain is immature in infants, affecting drug penetration and central nervous system effects.

Infants require more anesthesia to reach sleep compared to adults, with peak requirements around 6 months of age.

Infants are more prone to vomiting after surgery, possibly due to immature brain development.

The heart muscle in infants is less flexible, making heart rate crucial for maintaining blood circulation.

Infants breathe faster than adults, needing more oxygen and making them more susceptible to drugs that affect breathing.

Infants' kidneys are developing, affecting their ability to filter and eliminate drugs.

Infants' livers are not fully mature, limiting their ability to break down drugs.

Infants have a larger surface area to volume ratio, making them more susceptible to heat loss.

A process that alters the chemical structure of drugs in the body, primarily done by the liver.

The process by which drugs are eliminated from the body, mainly through urine and feces.

Drugs given to the mother can pass through the placenta and reach the fetus. However, the fetus has a smaller blood volume, which dilutes the concentration of the drug.

During pregnancy, the body's oxygen consumption increases, especially during labor. This may influence how quickly certain drugs are metabolized and eliminated.

Pregnant women experience changes in how their kidneys function, including increased blood flow and filtration. This can affect how drugs are excreted from the body, potentially requiring dose adjustments.

The levels of certain enzymes that metabolize drugs can change during pregnancy. Some enzymes may increase activity, while others may decrease activity. This can affect how quickly certain drugs are broken down.

Progesterone, a hormone that plays a crucial role in pregnancy, can slow down the emptying of the stomach and reduce its movement.

Slowed gastric emptying during pregnancy increases the risk of nausea, vomiting, and even aspiration if the stomach contents go into the lungs.

Pregnant women may experience a decrease in red blood cells, potentially impacting drug distribution and effectiveness due to reduced blood volume.

The anesthetic requirements, meaning the amount needed to induce and maintain unconsciousness, can change during pregnancy. This is due to the physiological changes affecting drug distribution and metabolism.

Neonates have immature liver function, meaning their enzymes that break down drugs are not fully developed. This can lead to slower drug metabolism and potentially higher drug levels in the body.

Neonates have immature kidneys, meaning they don't filter out drugs as efficiently as adults. This can lead to slower drug elimination and potentially higher drug levels in the body.

Neonates have a higher gastric pH (less acidic) than adults. This can affect the absorption of certain drugs, making them absorb more slowly.

Neonates have slower gastric emptying and reduced intestinal motility. This can impact the rate at which drugs are absorbed and the amount that reaches the bloodstream.

Pregnant women have an increased volume of distribution for many drugs due to increased body water and blood volume. However, this can also lead to lower plasma concentrations of some drugs.

Pregnant women have decreased plasma protein levels, leading to more free, unbound drugs in the bloodstream. This can enhance drug effects or lead to potential side effects.

Pregnant women have increased adipose tissue (fat) which can serve as a storage place for lipid-soluble drugs. This can affect how long these drugs stay in the body.

Pregnant women have increased sensitivity to local anesthetics due to changes in the epidural and subarachnoid spaces. This means they may need lower doses of local anesthetics.

Pregnant women have increased progesterone levels, which has a sedative effect. This may lead to decreased anesthetic requirements during surgery.

Drugs given to a pregnant woman can cross the placenta and potentially affect the fetus. It's important to carefully consider drug effects on both the mother and the developing baby.

Older adults often have reduced total body water compared to younger adults. This can lead to higher blood concentrations of water-soluble drugs.

Older adults may have reduced kidney function which can affect how well drugs are eliminated from the body. This can lead to prolonged drug effects and an increased risk of side effects.