Jilliary Alexandra S.

Murcia BSN 2R

Factors that influence the action of drug:

1. Age - The body's tissues and organs gradually lose their functions as we age. The
processes of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) in elder
individuals are worse than in young people as a result of this reduction in organ
function. In addition, drug sensitivity differs in the elderly, who are more likely to
experience negative drug effects. Thus, it is crucial to develop medications that focus on
the needs of the elderly.

2.Gender - Female sex has been shown to be a risk factor for clinically relevant
adverse drug reactions. Recent research implies that all of the mentioned could be
involved. Although men typically weigh more than women do, few medications are
dosed according to body weight. Drug concentrations are influenced by distribution
volume and clearance. For the majority of medications, regardless of sex differences,
both parameters rely on body weight. The volume distribution of some medications may
be impacted by the fact that women have a higher body fat percentage than men.

3.Body Weight - The way the medications are absorbed and used can change as you
age due to changes in your body. The amount of medication you need to take and how
long it will last in your system can change depending on your body weight. For instance,
changes to the digestive system may slow down the rate at which medications enter the
bloodstream. Drug delivery to the liver and kidneys may be slowed down by the
circulatory system. The way a drug is metabolized and eliminated from the body may
also be affected by the liver and kidneys functioning more slowly.

4.Metabolic Rate/ Genetic Factors - Differences in genetic (inherited) makeup have an

impact on both what a drug does to the body and what the body does to a drug.
Pharmacogenetics is the study of genetic variations in drug response. In rare situations,
it is possible to monitor an enzyme's level before giving medications. Before prescribing,
this should be taken into account. Some persons digest (metabolize) medications more
slowly than others due to their genetic makeup. As a result, toxicity from drug
accumulation in the body is possible. Some people metabolize medications so quickly
that even after taking the recommended dosage, the blood level of the medication never
rises to the point where it can start working.

5.Illness - A drug's course of action depends on a number of organs operating normally,

which work together to absorb, distribute, metabolize, and eliminate the drug at a
specific rate. If one of these organs has a pathological condition, it may affect not just
how each of these organs contributes to the drug's activity, but also how other organs
respond as a reaction.

6. Psychological Aspects - When a person is growing up, the cultural beliefs in their
environment can have an impact on their psychological make-up, as well as how they
see the world and what is risky or not. A person's opinions on drug use may be
influenced by role models, including senior friends, family members, or famous people.

7. Dependence - It's possible to be dependent on drugs without also being addicted

when you require one or more drugs to function. The body's reaction to a drug might
cause dependence. If you depend on drugs to manage a persistent medical condition,
this frequently happens.

8. Tolerance - When a person's body or brain no longer reacts to a prescription or drug

in the same way it once did, it is said that they have developed drug tolerance. When
someone takes a certain substance for a long time, they frequently develop tolerance to
it. The medicine is not as effective since it activates less receptors or enzymes in their
body and brain. This implies that individuals must take more of the drug in order to get
the same results they got at first. If a patient has become tolerant to their drug, a doctor
may recommend a greater dose.

9. Cumulative Effect - The condition in which a drug's effects could become uncertain
after repeated administration higher than those brought on by the initial dose. People
with liver or renal illness may experience a cumulative medication impact because the
majority of medications are mostly broken down and eliminated through these organs.

10.Environmental Factors - Since changes in temperature have an impact on how the

body functions, weather or temperature extremes can affect how medications work.
Drugs work more quickly because heat relaxes blood vessels and increases circulation.
By tightening the blood vessels and reducing circulation. But, cold temperature
decreases their effect. Some medications become ineffective at high altitudes due to the
decreased oxygen levels.

11. Immunological Factors - Disease situations involving cytokines have an effect on

the pharmacokinetics of medicines through regulation of the production and activity of
drug metabolizing enzymes, and more recently, drug transporter activity.
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Christensen, H. & Hermann, M., (2012). Immunological Response as a Source to

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