Drugs and Healthy Aging

Appropriate drug treatment can enhance the likelihood of experiencing healthy aging and maintaining functional ability up to very late in life. Strong evidence exists that overall drugs can help prevent and manage diseases. However, such evidence is mostly available from studies that are not representative of older people and do not include functional/well-being outcomes. Therapeutic drugs can also impair physical and cognitive function and social interactions, particularly in the context of polypharmacy, multimorbidity and frailty. Certain drugs can affect the ability to exercise and consume a healthy diet, which are key nonpharmacological interventions that promote healthy aging. Yet, exercise and nutritional interventions can help manage adverse drug reactions. In the future, drugs (gerotherapeutics) may be developed that slow the aging process, which should prevent or delay the incidence and progression of many chronic diseases, improving healthy aging.