Colds and flu medication in the elderly

Elderly patients often request treatment for cold and flu symptoms. Product selection may be more complicated in this patient group. The elderly are more at risk of adverse drug reactions due to an increased number of medical conditions and drugs taken, and also because of altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, impaired renal function, reduced hepatic blood flow and liver size, increased body fat, decreased lean body mass, and changes in receptor sensitivity. This article will review the factors affecting pharmacology in the elderly, as well as the possible risks associated with some common products used in the treatment of colds and flu.