Pharmacogenomics

Definition

Pharmacogenomics studies how genes affect a person's response to drugs. It combines pharmacology and genomics to develop effective, safe medications tailored to an individual's genetic makeup.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Pharmacogenomics can help predict the best drug for a patient based on their genetic profile.
2. It aims to minimize adverse drug reactions by understanding genetic variations.
3. This field is crucial in personalized medicine, where treatments are customized for individual patients.
4. Certain gene variants can influence how quickly or slowly a drug is metabolized in the body.
5. The FDA includes pharmacogenomic information on drug labels for certain medications, guiding healthcare providers on dosing and usage.

Review Questions

• How does pharmacogenomics contribute to personalized medicine?
• What role do gene variants play in drug metabolism?
• Why is pharmacogenomic information included on some FDA-approved drug labels?

Related terms

Genetic Variation: Differences in DNA sequences among individuals, which can affect health and disease responses

Personalized Medicine: Medical practice that uses genetic information to tailor treatments specific to individual patients

Drug Metabolism: The process by which the body breaks down and converts medication into active chemical substances