Final answer:
One pharmacokinetic factor that declines with aging is the metabolism of drugs in the body. As people age, the efficiency of their liver and kidneys, which are responsible for drug metabolism, can decrease.
Step-by-step explanation:
One pharmacokinetic factor that declines with aging is the metabolism of drugs in the body. Metabolism is the process by which the body breaks down and eliminates drugs. As people age, the efficiency of their liver and kidneys, which are responsible for drug metabolism, can decrease. This can result in drugs being cleared from the body at a slower rate, leading to higher drug concentrations and a longer duration of action.
For example, older adults may require lower doses of certain medications than younger adults because their bodies metabolize drugs more slowly. Additionally, age-related changes in body composition, such as a decrease in lean muscle mass and an increase in body fat, can also affect drug distribution and clearance.
It is important for healthcare professionals to consider these age-related changes when prescribing medications to older adults to prevent adverse drug reactions and optimize therapeutic outcomes.