Final answer:
It is true that age-related changes can lead to drug toxicities and increased adverse drug events due to alterations in body composition, organ function, and metabolic processes affecting drug pharmacokinetics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that age-related changes can result in drug toxicities and increased adverse drug events is True. As individuals age, there are changes in body composition, organ function, and metabolic pathways. This can affect drug pharmacokinetics, which is how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and eliminates drugs. Factors such as age, gender, genetic characteristics, and food intake all influence pharmacokinetics. In older adults, for instance, the liver, which metabolizes drugs, and the kidneys, which eliminate drugs from the body, may not work as efficiently. This decreased function can lead to increased levels of a drug in the bloodstream, potentially causing toxicity.
In addition, the immune system's capacity to fend off pathogens declines with age, which could make the elderly more susceptible to adverse drug events, especially when considering the increased incidence of conditions like heart diseases, respiratory syndromes, and diabetes. Moreover, the risk of translocation mutations rises with age, which may also affect drug interactions and responses. Overall, the influence of aging on the body's ability to process drugs must be carefully considered to avoid toxicities and adverse reactions.