Pharmacogenomics

Abstract

Pharmacogenomics is the study of inherited variation in drug disposition and response which focuses on associated genetic polymorphisms. This is an emerging field with great potential to lead to individualized medicine, optimizing therapeutic outcomes, and avoidance of unnecessary drug toxicity. Many barriers remain in this field limiting its clinical applicability. Current cardiovascular related medications with pharmacogenomic labeling are limited but include clopidogrel, warfarin, and drugs from the ß-blocker and statin classes of medications. There is lack of pediatric focused research in this area which is necessary given developmental differences that additionally affect drug metabolism and response.