Chummun, Harry (2011) Understanding pharmacogenomics: applications in prescribing. Nurse Prescribing, 9 (8). pp. 402-407. ISSN 1479-9189 (Print), 1467-1158 (Online)

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Abstract

People are different because of their genetic make-up. These differences are made up of variations in proteins inherited from their parental genes or developed through mutations. If these differences occur in the enzymes (cytochromes P450) associated with drug absorption, metabolism and elimination, the person may eliminate the drug very quickly from the body, reducing its potency and requiring larger doses for therapeutic effect. Conversely, the drug may become more potent, requiring smaller doses to avoid side-effects. Presently, many drugs are prescribed first and their levels adjusted later following assessment of their blood levels—which may take several days. Pharmacogenomics, a science which explores people’s drug response based on their genetic make-up and lifestyle, offers clinical tests, some which may be performed in the
surgery, to identify many of the differences in a person’s cytochrome P450 enzymes, so that the correct drug, amount and frequency may be prescribed from the start for maximum beneficial effects with minimum side-effects. Pharmacodynamics offers nurses an advanced theoretical and clinical understanding of these variations, the effect these may have on drug absorption, therapeutic effects
and elimination process. Such knowledge empowers nurses and
midwives to become more accountable and responsible, and ensure their patients/clients receive the correct drug, amount and frequency, as prescribed by the NMC.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	[1] The Nurse Prescribing online archive, dating back to 2003, is available through internurse.com, the UK's largest online archive of nursing articles.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	pharmacogenomics, nurse, prescribing
Subjects:	R Medicine > RS Pharmacy and materia medica R Medicine > RT Nursing
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences
Related URLs:	Publisher
Last Modified:	14 Oct 2016 09:17
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/7076

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