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Age-Dependent Actions of Benzodiazepines

  • Conference paper
Drugs and Aging

Abstract

The elderly constitute approximately 20% of our population, and 50% or more of total drug consumption is by the elderly (WHO 1981). In view of the increased incidence of chronic illness and disability, these patients consume more than a proportionate share of drugs. In addition to the increased exposure to benzodiaz-epines, the elderly undergo a number of physiological changes that are likely to alter the response to benzodiazepines. As people grow older there is a wasting of muscle tissue, accumulation of fat, and a decrease in body water, liver mass, and brain weight. Progressive decreases with age are found for cardiac output (hepatic perfusion) and lung and kidney function. While there are many ways in which older patients respond differently from younger people, in many instances it is difficult to separate the overlapping effects of “normal” aging from the effects of degenerative diseases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dr. Margarete-Fischer-Bosch-Institut für Klinische Pharmakologie, Auerbachstr. 112, D-7000, Stuttgart 50, Germany

    U. Klotz

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  1. U. Klotz
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Flurstraße 17, D-8500, Nürnberg, Germany

    Dieter Platt (Direktor des Instituts für Gerontologie) (Direktor des Instituts für Gerontologie)

  2. 2. Medizinischen Klinik Klinikum Nürnberg, Flurstraße 17, D-8500, Nürnberg, Germany

    Dieter Platt (Direktor des Instituts für Gerontologie) (Direktor des Instituts für Gerontologie)

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© 1986 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Klotz, U. (1986). Age-Dependent Actions of Benzodiazepines. In: Platt, D. (eds) Drugs and Aging. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70788-9_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70788-9_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-70790-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-70788-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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