What does pharmacogenetics study?

Pharmacogenetics is a field that focuses specifically on how an individual's genetic makeup affects their response to medications. This branch of medicine examines variations in genes that can influence how a person metabolizes and responds to specific drugs, tailoring medication choices and dosages to optimize efficacy and minimize adverse effects.

For example, certain genetic variations can affect drug receptors or enzymes responsible for drug metabolism, leading to significant differences in how various individuals experience the effects of the same medication. By understanding these genetic factors, healthcare providers can better predict which medications will be most effective for a patient or whether a patient might be at risk for adverse reactions.

This understanding is pivotal in personalized medicine, where treatment strategies are customized for individual patients based on their genetic profiles, leading to more effective and safer drug therapies.