ISSN:
1573-8744
Keywords:
pharmacokinetics
;
polygenically controlled disease states
;
pharmacokinetic twin studies
;
pharmacokinetic heritability
;
ethanol
;
antipyrine
;
phenylbutazone
;
bishydroxycoumarin.
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract The application of pharmacokinetics to the elucidation of polygenic factors involved in drug disposition is discussed in the context of three questions: (a)How extensive is the variation among individuals in rate of plasma clearance for commonly used drugs? (b)If appreciable variation occurs, what are the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors to its maintenance? (c) What role is played by polygenic factors in maintaining this variation?Large variance in plasma decay rates for phenylbutazone, ethyl biscoumacetate, antipyrine, isoniazid, and nortriptyline is noted throughout the general population. However, these large variations appear to be controlled predominately by genetic rather than by environmental factors on the basis of studies run on identical and fraternal twins. At the present time, an individual's capacity to metabolize drugs and the effects of various conditions in altering that basal, genetically determined capacity seem to be best indicated by measurements of the plasma antipyrine half-life. While the theoretical advantages of obtaining blood concentrations of drugs as a guide to their more rational administration are evident, several practical problems are discussed in this paper.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01059789
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