Drugs in the elderly

Absorption of carbohydrates and of several nutrients, including iron, calcium and thiamine, is reduced in elderly people. Lipid-soluble drugs are absorbed by simple diffusion down the concentration gradient (Chapter 3), and this is not impaired by age. Intestinal blood flow is reduced by up to 50% in the elderly. However, age per se does not affect drug absorption to a large extent (Figure 11.1).