THE SPECIFICS OF THE USE OF ANTIBACTERIAL DRUGS IN THE ELDERLY
Parpiyeva Salima
Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Medical Biotechnology, ASMI
Keywords: elderly, antibacterial therapy, pharmacokinetics, renal function, antibiotic resistance, drug toxicity, pharmacology
Abstract
Elderly patients represent one of the most pharmacologically vulnerable populations due to age-related physiological decline, comorbidities, and polypharmacy. The clinical use of antibacterial drugs in this group demands careful consideration of altered pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, organ function, and drug–drug interactions. Age-related changes in renal and hepatic clearance, immune senescence, and increased susceptibility to adverse drug reactions complicate antibiotic selection and dosing. This paper explores the pharmacological specifics, therapeutic principles, and safety challenges of antibacterial therapy in elderly adults, emphasizing individualized treatment strategies based on renal function, drug metabolism, and infection severity. It further highlights the risk of antibiotic resistance, Clostridioides difficile infection, and toxicities unique to the geriatric population.
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