Drug administration to Special populations.pdf

6.1 Identify the special patient population.
6.2 Determine factors that will be taken into consideration for the administration of drugs to the different populations.
Drug administration considerations
Dosage adjustments
Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacodynamics
Age-related factors
Pregnancy risk categories
Drug interactions
Organ function (renal, hepatic)
Body weight and composition
Comorbidities
Allergies and sensitivities
Drug metabolism
Route of administration
Monitoring requirements
Patient compliance and education
Cultural and social factors

1. Drug administration to
special populations
Pharmacology 2

2. Objectives
•6.1 Identify the special patient population.
•6.2 Determine factors that will be taken into consideration for the
administration of drugs to the different populations.

3. Special patient populations require particular consideration
when administering medications due to their unique
physiological and pathological conditions.
•Pediatric Patients (Children)
•Considerations:
•Dosage Adjustments:Medications often need to be dosed based on weight
or body surface area.
•Formulations:Preference for liquid formulations or chewable tablets due to
difficulties in swallowing pills.
•Pharmacokinetics:Children metabolize drugs differently, requiring
adjustments in dosing frequency and amount.
•Safety:Greater sensitivity to certain drugs, requiring close monitoring for
adverse effects.

4. Special patient populations require particular consideration
when administering medications due to their unique
physiological and pathological conditions.
•Geriatric Patients (Elderly)
•Considerations:
•Polypharmacy:Higher likelihood of being on multiple medications, increasing
the risk of drug interactions.
•Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics:Age-related changes in
metabolism and excretion can alter drug efficacy and safety.
•Comorbidities:Presence of multiple chronic conditions that may affect drug
choice and dosing.
•Adherence:Cognitive decline and physical limitations can affect medication
adherence.

5. Special patient populations require particular consideration
when administering medications due to their unique
physiological and pathological conditions.
•Pregnant and Lactating Women
•Considerations:
•Teratogenicity:Potential for medications to cause congenital abnormalities,
requiring careful selection of drugs.
•Pharmacokinetics:Pregnancy alters drug absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion.
•Breastfeeding:Medications may be excreted in breast milk, affecting the
infant.

6. Special patient populations require particular consideration
when administering medications due to their unique
physiological and pathological conditions.
•Patients with Renal Impairment
•Considerations:
•Dosing Adjustments:Reduced renal function necessitates dosage
adjustments to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity.
•Drug Selection:Avoidance of nephrotoxic drugs that could worsen renal
function.
•Monitoring:Regular monitoring of kidney function and drug levels to ensure
safety and efficacy.

7. Special patient populations require particular consideration
when administering medications due to their unique
physiological and pathological conditions.
•Patients with Hepatic Impairment
•Considerations:
•Metabolism:Impaired liver function affects drug metabolism, necessitating
dosage adjustments.
•Drug Selection:Avoidance of hepatotoxic drugs to prevent further liver
damage.
•Monitoring:Regular liver function tests and monitoring for signs of toxicity.

8. Special patient populations require particular consideration
when administering medications due to their unique
physiological and pathological conditions.
•Patients with Chronic Diseases
•Considerations:
•Cardiovascular Disease:Adjustments in drug selection and dosing for
medications affecting heart function and blood pressure.
•Diabetes:Careful management of blood glucose levels and potential
interactions with anti-diabetic medications.
•Respiratory Diseases:Consideration of drug effects on respiratory function
and interactions with medications for asthma or COPD.

9. Special patient populations require particular consideration
when administering medications due to their unique
physiological and pathological conditions.
•Patients with Mental Health Disorders
•Considerations:
•Medication Adherence:Challenges in adherence due to cognitive and
behavioral issues.
•Drug Interactions:Potential interactions between psychotropic medications
and other drugs.
•Side Effects:Increased sensitivity to certain side effects, requiring close
monitoring.

10. Special patient populations require particular consideration
when administering medications due to their unique
physiological and pathological conditions.
•Immunocompromised Patients
•Considerations:
•Infection Risk:Increased susceptibility to infections necessitates careful
selection of immunosuppressive drugs and prophylactic antibiotics.
•Drug Interactions:Potential interactions between antiretrovirals,
chemotherapy, and other medications.
•Monitoring:Close monitoring for signs of infection and drug toxicity.

11. Special patient populations require particular consideration
when administering medications due to their unique
physiological and pathological conditions.
•Patients with Allergies
•Considerations:
•Thorough patient history to avoid allergenic medications.
•Availability of emergency treatments (e.g., epinephrine) for severe reactions.
•Patient education on recognizing and responding to allergic reactions.

12. Special patient populations require particular consideration
when administering medications due to their unique
physiological and pathological conditions.
•10. Patients with Disabilities
•Considerations:
•Adjustments for physical limitations affecting medication administration (e.g.,
swallowing difficulties, need for liquid formulations or transdermal patches).
•Tailored educational strategies for medication adherence.

13. Administering drugs to different populations requires
careful consideration of several factors to ensure safety
and efficacy.
•Age: Age affects drug metabolism, distribution, and elimination.
Dosage adjustments may be needed for pediatric and geriatric
populations due to differences in organ function and body
composition.
•Weight: Dosage calculations often consider a person's weight,
especially for drugs with a narrow therapeutic index or those that are
weight-dependent.
•Sex: Sex-related physiological differences can influence drug
pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Hormonal variations may
also impact drug responses.

14. Administering drugs to different populations requires
careful consideration of several factors to ensure safety
and efficacy.
•Genetics: Genetic variations can affect drug metabolism, leading to
differences in efficacy and susceptibility to adverse effects.
Pharmacogenomictesting can help personalize drug therapy.
•Organ Function: Impaired organ function, such as renal or hepatic
dysfunction, can alter drug metabolism and clearance, necessitating
dosage adjustments or alternative medications.
•Pregnancy and Lactation: Pregnancy alters drug pharmacokinetics
due to changes in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
excretion. Drugs taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding require
careful assessment of risks versus benefits.

15. Administering drugs to different populations requires
careful consideration of several factors to ensure safety
and efficacy.
•Ethnicity: Genetic and environmental factors can contribute to
interindividualvariability in drug responses among different ethnic groups.
Some populations may metabolize drugs differently, affecting efficacy and
safety.
•Comorbidities: Concurrent medical conditions can impact drug therapy by
altering drug metabolism, interactions, and tolerability. Adjustments may
be necessary to avoid exacerbating underlying diseases or causing adverse
effects.
•Polypharmacy: The use of multiple medications increases the risk of drug
interactions, adverse effects, and non-adherence. Healthcare providers
must consider potential drug-drug interactions and simplify regimens
whenever possible.

16. Administering drugs to different populations requires
careful consideration of several factors to ensure safety
and efficacy.
•Route of Administration: Patient-specific factors, such as ability to
swallow, gastrointestinal function, and preferences, influence the
choice of administration route (e.g., oral, parenteral, transdermal).
•Cognitive and Physical Abilities: Patients with cognitive impairment
or physical disabilities may require assistance with medication
administration or alternative dosage forms to ensure adherence and
safety.
•Socioeconomic Factors: Access to healthcare, insurance coverage,
financial constraints, and cultural beliefs can impact medication
adherence and health outcomes.

17. Administering drugs to different populations requires
careful consideration of several factors to ensure safety
and efficacy.
•Patient Preferences and Adherence: Patient involvement in
treatment decisions, understanding of medication instructions, and
ability to adhere to therapy influence treatment outcomes. Tailoring
regimens to patients' preferences and lifestyle can enhance
adherence.