Final answer:
Prescribing drugs with a long half-life to older adults should be avoided when possible due to increased risks of prolonged drug exposure and potential toxicity, especially with reduced organ function associated with aging.
Step-by-step explanation:
When prescribing drug therapy for an older adult, one should avoid drugs with a long half-life if possible. The half-life of a drug is crucial in determining how long a drug stays in the body. Drugs with long half-lives may pose a risk as they can lead to prolonged exposure to potentially toxic levels, especially in older adults who often have reduced drug metabolism and clearance due to kidney or liver dysfunction. This could lead to a higher propensity for side effects and drug toxicity.
On the other hand, while protein-binding drugs, liquid oral formulations, and topical application drugs might present certain challenges in various contexts, they are not typically the primary concerns in older adult populations compared to the significant issue with the half-life of drugs. For instance, with regards to protein-binding, if drugs bind to proteins such as albumin in the blood, they may stay in the system longer but do not typically pose the same level of risk as those with inherently long half-lives that persist in the body.