Ways to minimize adverse drug reactions

PREVIEW

According to some estimates, patient response can vary 4-fold to 40-fold with any drug at any given dose. Obviously, when it comes to drugs, one size does not fit all. Dr Cohen maintains that by relying on manufacturer- recommended doses, physicians are attempting to tailor the patient to fit the drug, rather than tailoring the drug to fit the patient, and the result is dose-related side effects. He describes how to individualize drug doses on the basis of patients' drug-reaction history and age, the specific situation, and pharmacokinetic clues.