Tag: Pharmacogenetics

In clinical trials for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), 8% of patients receiving Lexapro discontinued treatment due to an adverse event, compared to 4% on placebo. This statistic highlights a reality for some patients: while often effective, not everyone can tolerate Lexapro due to a variety of factors, including side effects, drug interactions, and even their genetic makeup.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) occurs in approximately 1 in 100,000 adults receiving anesthetics, but the underlying genetic susceptibility may be far more common. This rare, but potentially fatal, pharmacogenetic disorder is triggered by a limited number of specific drugs. Knowing which drugs cause malignant hyperthermia is critical for patient safety during surgery.

Adverse drug reactions are a major cause of illness, complicating 5 to 15 percent of therapeutic drug courses [1.2.1]. If you've ever wondered, **Why am I hypersensitive to medications?**, you're not alone in seeking answers for heightened reactions to standard drug doses.

Approximately 15–20% of the Asian population are CYP2C19 poor metabolizers, a genetic variation that significantly alters how the body processes omeprazole. This critical enzyme pathway dictates an individual's response to the drug and can lead to vastly different therapeutic outcomes.

Approximately 30% of the U.S. population carries a CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele, directly impacting how effectively their body activates the antiplatelet drug clopidogrel. This metabolic process is crucial for preventing dangerous blood clots in at-risk individuals, making the question 'Is clopidogrel activated by CYP2C19?' central to personalized medicine.

The cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) enzyme, found primarily in the liver, is responsible for processing at least 10% of drugs currently in clinical use [1.2.1, 1.6.2]. Understanding **what drugs does CYP2C19 metabolize** is crucial for personalizing medicine and avoiding adverse reactions.

Genetic factors can account for 20 to 95 percent of patient variability in drug response [1.6.2]. A primary driver of this variation is the answer to the question, **how does metabolism affect drugs?**, which determines a medication's safety and effectiveness.

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a significant public health issue, with some studies estimating they are the fourth leading cause of death in the US [1.6.3]. A rare and unpredictable type of ADR is an idiosyncratic event. So, **what is an example of an idiosyncratic event?** They range from severe skin reactions to organ failure [1.2.2, 1.2.3].

Idiosyncratic drug reactions occur in a tiny fraction of the population, with incidence rates sometimes as low as 1 in 100,000 people. A classic example of an idiosyncratic effect is prolonged apnea following the administration of the muscle relaxant succinylcholine during anesthesia.

In a small percentage of the population, a drug known for its sedating properties can have the opposite effect. If you've ever wondered, "Why does diphenhydramine make me hyper?," you are experiencing a known phenomenon called paradoxical excitation.