Many age-related biologic and physiologic changes can have important influences on drug pharmacology in elderly persons. Successful management depends upon good communications among health care providers, fitness instructors, and the medication user. Each exerciser should be monitored and reviewed at regular intervals. Medications may be a blessing for some elderly people, and a catastrophe for others, largely dependent upon the individual physiologic response of the user and their particular pattern of nutrition and lifestyle. Non-drug therapy should be employed whenever possible. However, if medications are necessary, using the fewest possible drugs in the smallest effective dose ranks high in preventing or lessening adverse drug effects. (CB)