Pharmacokinetic alterations in cachexia and sarcopenia
Abstract
Cachexia is a weight loss syndrome that causes body composition and functional abnormalities and is caused by an underlying chronic disease. Sarcopenia is a loss of muscle mass and strength, its prevalence increasing with advancing age. Both are complex pathophysiological processes, resulting in significant body composition and functional alterations, which modify pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of drugs. Currently, there is no available generally accepted and applied guideline to recommend drug therapy modifications in cachectic or sarcopenic patients. The manuscript summarizes the crucial aspects for appropriate, safe and effective drug therapy, based on available literature. It also aims to draw attention to the importance of monitoring nutritional status of patients, with effective use of supportive therapeutic modalities, like nutritional therapy applied in timely manner.
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