26. Pharmacogenetics

Question 1

What is pharmacogenetics?

Answer 1

Pharmacogenetics is the science of understanding how different individual genotypes relate to different drugs

Question 2

How are genetics involved with the RAS system?

Answer 2

• young Caucasians have higher RAS activity - therefore ACE inhibitors will lower BP more effectively
• older and Afro carribean have lower RAS activity so first line therapy is thiazide diuretics and CCBs