Clinical Pharmacology in Old Persons

Table 1

Selected pharmacodynamic changes with ageing.

Drug	Pharmacodynamic effect	Age-related change
Antipsychotics	Sedation, extrapyramidal symptoms	Increased
Benzodiazepines	Sedation, postural sway	Increased
Beta-agonists	Bronchodilatation	Decreased
Beta-blocking agents	Antihypertensive effects	Decreased
Vitamine K antagonists	Anticoagulant effects	Increased
Furosemide	Peak diuretic response	Decreased
Morphine	Analgesic effects, sedation	Increased
Propofol	Anesthetic effect	Increased
Verapamil	Antihypertensive effect	Increased