Variability of Drug Response - Pharmacokinetics

Variability of Drug Response

·        Disease, patient and doctor specific factors leading to the prescribing decision

·        Absorption: formulation, GI motility, polypharmacy (eg Grapefruit juice)

·        Distribution (ie Vd)

·        Plasma protein binding (generally not important unless highly bound and low Vd) 

·        Metabolism: age, genetic factors, enzyme induction and inhibition, first pass metabolism, dose-dependent metabolism, active or toxic drug metabolites, bilary excretion, renal elimination

·        Tissue Sensitivity