Lecture 3 - Drug Toxicity and Pharmacogenetics

Question 1

Drug toxicity

“On target” adverse effects

Answer 1

Drugs bind to the intended receptor but at an inappropriate concentration with suboptimal kinetics or in the incorrect tissue

Ex. Beta-2 agonists for asthma, opioids, anaesthetics

Question 2

Drig toxicity

“Off target” adverse effects

Answer 2

Drug binds to a target or receptor for which it is not intended

mediated by the immune system

Question 3

Define

Class Effects

Answer 3

Effects often shared by every member of the therapeutic class

ex. all statins lower cholesterol

Question 4

Define

Pharmacogenetics

Answer 4

The study of the role of genetic variations in drug response

Question 5

What are single nulceotide polymorphisms (SNPs)?

Answer 5

• One nucleotide is exchanged for antoher at a given position
• on average, any two people differ at about 1 nucleotide in every 1000

Question 6

What genetic variation actually affects drug response?

Answer 6

• Variation in major enzymes of drug metabolism and in genes that encode the targets of the drugs
• Insertiona/deletions and copy number variations can also affect drug response

Question 7

By predicting the level of metabolism for a drug can help optimize the drug dosing. What is the first FDA approved test to determine variations in cytochrome P450 genes that influence drug metabolism?

Answer 7

Ampliclip CYP450 Array

Question 8

How does Warfarin act as an anticoagulant?

Answer 8

Warfarin blocks vitamin K epoxide reductase from reducing vitamin K which is an essential part of converting clotting factor precursors into active clotting factors (along with O2 and CO2)