Receptor polymorphisms lead to which type of variability in drug response?

Receptor polymorphisms lead to which type of variability in drug response?

• A. Biological variability
• B. Pharmacokinetic variability
• C. Economic variability
• D. Temperature variability

Answer: (A)

Receptor polymorphisms alter the drug’s target, changing how strongly or how well a drug activates or blocks it. That directly affects the pharmacodynamic response—the effect the drug has on the body. Such genetic differences are a form of biological variability in drug response, since they stem from intrinsic genetic variation that changes receptor characteristics. This is distinct from pharmacokinetic variability, which comes from differences in absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion. Economic or temperature factors don’t explain receptor-level differences in drug effect. So, receptor polymorphisms produce biological variability.

Receptor polymorphisms alter the drug’s target, changing how strongly or how well a drug activates or blocks it. That directly affects the pharmacodynamic response—the effect the drug has on the body. Such genetic differences are a form of biological variability in drug response, since they stem from intrinsic genetic variation that changes receptor characteristics. This is distinct from pharmacokinetic variability, which comes from differences in absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion. Economic or temperature factors don’t explain receptor-level differences in drug effect. So, receptor polymorphisms produce biological variability.