Their reports of pain may change often and quickly. As a result, older people need to have their pain levels checked more frequently than people who are younger. As we age, our body functions change. These normal changes and those that result from illnesses must be factored in when prescribing medicines. Elderly people generally have less water in their body, less muscle mass, and more body fat.
Some medicines depend on body water, muscle, fat, and protein to work in the right way.
In addition, most medicines pass through the liver and kidneys. As liver and kidney functions change with age, the way the body uses, responds to, and rids itself of medicines also changes. These changes mean that the elderly are more sensitive to the effects of certain medicines and less sensitive to other medicines. This does not mean that these medicines should not be used for older people, but the people using these medicines and their caregivers must be careful and watchful. Table 1 lists some of the concerns associated with medicines used in the treatment of the elderly.