Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

Pediatric and Geriatric Pharmacotherapy

Pediatric and geriatric pharmacotherapy addresses the unique challenges of drug administration, efficacy, and safety in populations with distinct physiological, metabolic, and pharmacokinetic characteristics. Children exhibit age-dependent drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination, necessitating precise dose adjustments, age-appropriate formulations, and careful monitoring of adverse effects. Similarly, elderly patients often present with polypharmacy, comorbidities, altered renal and hepatic function, and increased susceptibility to drug-drug interactions and toxicity. Regulatory authorities enforce specialized guidelines for pediatric and geriatric trials, dosage recommendations, and post-marketing surveillance to ensure safety and efficacy. Emerging trends involve AI-assisted dose optimization, pharmacogenomic profiling, and computational modeling to predict individual responses, minimize adverse effects, and personalize therapy. Nanotechnology-based formulations are being developed to improve bioavailability and targeted delivery, particularly for chronic conditions and medications with poor solubility. Challenges also include ethical considerations in vulnerable populations, adherence monitoring, and limited clinical trial data due to recruitment difficulties. Integration of digital health technologies, such as telemedicine and smart monitoring devices, allows continuous tracking of treatment response, adverse events, and compliance. Pharmacovigilance programs in pediatric and geriatric populations support safety assessment, while AI-driven analytics enhance early detection of potential risks. Overall, pediatric and geriatric pharmacotherapy combines regulatory guidance, technological innovations, molecular insights, and individualized strategies to optimize therapeutic outcomes, reduce adverse effects, and address the unique needs of vulnerable populations in modern biomedicine.