Effect of Age on the Pharmacokinetics of Tenoxicam in Comparison to Other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)

Investigations have shown that elderly patients have an increased sensitivity to the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with a concomitant higher frequency of side-effects. Several explanations for such an observation are possible including altered receptor responsiveness or changes in absorption and disposition of a drug. From a literature survey it becomes clear that the rate and extent of NSAID absorption do not appear to be changed to a clinically significant degree in the elderly patient. Most NSAIDs are eliminated predominantly by hepatic metabolism and metabolic clearance therefore controls their elimination and accumulation upon chronic dosage. Differences in the dependence of these disposition processes on age exist between the commonly used NSAIDs. In our studies with tenoxicam, steady-state concentrations and accummulation factors did not differ in elderly subjects from those observed in a young population. Therefore, no dosage adjustment of this drug is necessary in elde...