Which Pill to Pop? Too Many in Shop!
“I have a headache.” “Try Disprin!” “No, Paracetamol is better!” “But is it a migraine? Then only Migranil will work!”
This scenario is very common. A hectic schedule, little water, less greens, irregular exercise — all of it gets you running to the medicine cabinet. Very few of us get into the technicality of how medication works, why different people respond to different medicines, why some medicines work faster, why some cause extreme side effects.
Pharmacogenomics: Why One Drug Doesn’t Suit All
There is a whole branch of science dedicated to studying these “tiny pills of joy” — called Pharmacogenomics. This field is based on our genetic makeup and DNA code, which affects our drug response and varies across populations. The same medication with the same dosage can elicit a completely different response from different people.
Key Factors That Determine Your Drug Response
Individual response to a specific drug: Based on DNA sequence, one might or might not respond to a drug. For example, the antidiabetic drug Metformin helps “good responders” lower blood sugar far more effectively than “poor responders.”
Metabolism rate, drug clearance and toxicity risk: Genetic variations alter enzyme activity in the body. A “poor metaboliser” may be at risk for drug-induced toxicity due to excessive build-up of the drug compound. A reduced dose or a different drug altogether may be needed.
Chemotherapy efficacy: Pharmacogenomics can predict the chances of survival in patients administered with chemotherapeutic drugs by detecting the presence or absence of local mutations in cancer tissue that may cause drug resistance.
By Dr. Pallavi Jain, Scientific Team, MapmyGenome (BSc Biochemistry with Genetics; PhD Molecular Medicine, UK)
Know Which Medications Work Best for Your DNA
MedicaMap by MapmyGenome analyses your pharmacogenomic profile — covering CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP3A4, SLCO1B1, and 100+ other drug metabolism genes — helping your doctor select the right medication at the right dose and avoid preventable adverse reactions.
