Pharmacokinetics of intravenous anesthetics in aged patients
Levron, J.C.; Marchetti, F.
Agressologie Revue Internationale de Physio-Biologie et de Pharmacologie Appliquees Aux Effets de l'Agression 30(1): 13-18
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-1148 PMID: 2660613 Document Number: 333492
This paper reviews the pharmacokinetic modifications of anaesthetic intravenous drugs in elderly reported in the literature. With benzodiazepines, the elimination half-life is prolonged and can increase the duration of the sedative effect. With hypnotics, the increase of pharmacological effect (intensity and duration) is due to a decrease of initial volume of distribution and total body clearance. Except morphine, the pharmacokinetic of opioids is slightly changed and can't explain the increase of the pharmacodynamic sensibility.