Summary: | This is the first comprehensive work of reference to survey in depth the wide-ranging variability in the response of individuals to drugs. This can be because of differences in biotransformation of drugs or because of differences in receptor responses. This variability in response has profound implications in terms of drug therapy, understanding mechanisms of drug metabolism and action, and in terms of understanding genetic polymorphism and its links with disease. New human genes have been discovered by studying these phenomena. Adverse reactions occur more commonly on standard drug dose regimens in some phenotypes. Similarly, the responses of disorders to standard treatments are affected by genetic constitution. Additionally, the possession of some pharmacogenetic phenotypes renders some individuals more prone to develop spontaneous disorders. This field is being revolutionised by advances in molecular genetics and this book provides a reference on which to base new advances.
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