Hypersaturation and Poisoning with Drugs in the Elderly

U članku su izneseni podaci promjena farmakokinetike – apsorpcije, raspodjele, metabolizma, izlučivanja, kao i farmakodinamike lijekova. Posebno su naglašene nuspojave lijekova koje su znatno veći problem u starijoj dobi nego u drugim dobnim skupinama: u starijih su osoba sedam puta češće. Izneseni su problemi i razlozi hipersaturacije te otrovanja lijekovima u starijoj dobi, dijagnostički postupak, kao i moderni načini liječenja – od ispiranja želuca do primjene visoko diferenciralnih metoda poput izvantjelesne hemodijalize, jedne od metoda hemoperfuzije, plazma-separacije – do primjene antidota. Zauzet je stav kako sve metode u liječenju otrovanja, koje se rabe u mlađoj i srednjoj dobi, treba rabiti i u otrovanog bolesnika starije dobi štujući indikacije, potencijalne komplikacije i kontraindikacije, uvijek individualnim pristupom.This paper deals with pharmacokinetics, i.e. absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of drugs, as well as with pharmacodynamics in the elderly. A special emphasis is placed on adverse reactions, which are seven times more frequent than in other age groups. Problems and reasons for hypersaturation and poisoning with drugs are discussed, including diagnostic procedures and modern therapeutic methods, from gastric lavage to highly sophisticated methods such as extracorporeal haemodialysis, hemoperfusion (charcoal or resin), plasma separation and use of antidotes. All therapeutic methods otherwise used for the treatment of intoxication in young and middle-aged patients have to be used in the treatment of the elderly, taking into account indications, possible complications and contraindications and applying an individual approac