Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CRMA Practice Questions and Study Guide

Aging significantly impacts how medications are distributed and metabolized in the body. As individuals age, physiological changes occur that affect the pharmacokinetics of drugs.

One of the main changes is in body composition; older adults often have a higher proportion of body fat and a lower proportion of lean body mass and total body water. This can lead to alterations in the volume of distribution for hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. For example, lipophilic drugs may have a prolonged half-life due to increased fat storage, while hydrophilic drugs may become less effective due to reduced water volume.

Additionally, the aging process can affect liver and kidney function, leading to a decrease in the rate of drug metabolism and excretion. This can result in higher drug concentrations in the body and an increased risk of adverse drug reactions.

Therefore, the changes in distribution and metabolism of drugs in older adults underscore the importance of individualized medication management in this population to ensure safety and efficacy.