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Effect of Age-Related Changes in Gastric Physiology on Tolerability of Medications for Older People

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Abstract

Studies specifically examining the effect of age upon the stomach are limited and frequently uncontrolled for the high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in this age group. Age-related changes in gastric physiology such as reduced mucosal protection, gastric blood flow and impaired repair mechanisms may all impact upon gastrointestinal adverse effects and how older people tolerate medicines.

Understanding how the upper gastrointestinal tract changes with advancing age could allow interventions that lead to more appropriate prescribing for older people, potentially reduce adverse effects, increase compliance with treatment regimens, and may allow older people to take medications that they would not otherwise tolerate.

This review emphasises how the stomach changes with age, and how understanding this will aid clinicians when prescribing medications with potential gastrointestinal adverse effects to older people.

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Acknowledgements

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this review. The author has no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

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  1. Institute for Ageing and Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, UK

    Julia L. Newton

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  1. Julia L. Newton
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Newton, J.L. Effect of Age-Related Changes in Gastric Physiology on Tolerability of Medications for Older People. Drugs Aging 22, 655–661 (2005). https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-200522080-00003

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