What occurs when a patient's response to a normal drug dose is affected by a genetic variation?

When a patient's response to a normal drug dose is influenced by a genetic variation, one possible outcome is that the intended therapeutic response fails to be produced. Genetic variations can impact drug metabolism, receptor binding, or the body's ability to respond to a medication. For example, certain genetic polymorphisms may lead to differences in enzyme activity, affecting how quickly or slowly a drug is processed in the body.

In cases where a patient has a genetic variant that interferes with the target pathway of a drug or alters its metabolism, the normal dosage may not achieve the desired pharmacological effect. Patients might not experience the anticipated benefits of the medication due to this lack of response. This situation highlights the importance of personalized medicine and genetic testing in optimizing drug therapies to account for these variations, ensuring that the treatment is both effective and safe for each individual based on their genetic makeup.