Age can have significant effects on drug absorption, metabolization, and excretion.

Drug Absorption:
- Infants and elderly individuals may have reduced gastric acidity, which can affect the absorption of some drugs.
- The surface area of the intestines and skin can decrease with age, potentially leading to reduced absorption for certain drugs that rely on these routes.
- The integrity and permeability of the blood-brain barrier can also change with age, affecting drug absorption to the central nervous system.

Drug Metabolization:
- The liver is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism, and its function can decline with age. This can result in decreased drug metabolism and a longer half-life for some drugs.
- Certain enzyme systems responsible for drug metabolism, such as the cytochrome P450 system, may be less efficient in elderly individuals, leading to altered drug pharmacokinetics.

Drug Excretion:
- Kidney function can decline with age, resulting in reduced renal elimination of drugs. This can lead to increased drug accumulation in the body and potentially higher drug plasma concentrations.
- Changes in body composition, such as decreased lean body mass and increased body fat, can also affect drug distribution and elimination in elderly individuals.

It is important to note that these age-related changes can vary among individuals and are influenced by other factors like overall health, genetics, and concomitant medications. Therefore, personalized dosing adjustments may be necessary to ensure the safe and effective use of drugs in different age groups.

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