Variable Drug Responses in Man

Abstract

Physicians tend to administer relatively fixed amounts of drugs, even though individuals vary in their response to these agents. In a given patient, the critical consideration is the concentration of drug needed to achieve the optimal therapeutic effect. The physician must weigh such factors as absorption, renal excretion, distribution, metabolism, and receptor sensitivity. He must also allow for such variables as the disease process, the effect of concomitant intake of other drugs, the differences among various preparations of a specific agent, genetic factors, and the age of the patient.