A aging-related change that leads to reduced drug effectiveness is best described as which process?

A aging-related change that leads to reduced drug effectiveness is best described as which process?

• A. Increased metabolism
• B. Decreased metabolism
• C. Increased absorption
• D. Decreased distribution

Answer: (B)

Age-related decline in hepatic metabolism can reduce how well a drug works, especially for medications that must be activated by metabolism to become active. In older adults, liver enzyme activity and hepatic blood flow often decrease, slowing the conversion of prodrugs into their active forms. If less active drug is produced, the therapeutic effect can be diminished. A classic example is a prodrug like codeine, which must be metabolized to morphine to provide pain relief; slower metabolism means less morphine is produced and the effect is reduced. This is why decreased metabolism best describes the aging-related change leading to reduced drug effectiveness.

Age-related decline in hepatic metabolism can reduce how well a drug works, especially for medications that must be activated by metabolism to become active. In older adults, liver enzyme activity and hepatic blood flow often decrease, slowing the conversion of prodrugs into their active forms. If less active drug is produced, the therapeutic effect can be diminished. A classic example is a prodrug like codeine, which must be metabolized to morphine to provide pain relief; slower metabolism means less morphine is produced and the effect is reduced. This is why decreased metabolism best describes the aging-related change leading to reduced drug effectiveness.