CHOLESTEROL DRUGS AND THE CAUSES OF ADVERSE REACTIONS

A genetic variation in a gene can cause medications (and these include those that taken for high cholesterol)) to be eliminated in a manner, that can be too slow,too fast or not at all. This explains why certain people have adverse reactions to certain medications. Here, we are dealing with cholesterol, but there are other drugs that are eliminated in the same manner.

This is why some, not all, do not receive the benefits of the medications they are prescribed.

If you go to http://www.fda.gov/ and search for"genomic biomarkers." You will view a more complete list of the medications that are known to be affected by genetic variations.

The above site gives examples of drugs with FDA approval labels, that recommend or require genetic testing. It will also give the availability of the test.

These genetic variations are called , SNP(single nucleotide polymorphism.)

Just to give a few others drugs of note: Trade Names with generic in parentheses
Strattera (atomoxetine) for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Warfarin(Coumadin and generic) to prevent blood clots

Imuran(azathioprine) for rheumatoid arthritis

Plavix (clopidogrel) for blood clotting problems

This information can let one know why a medication is not working properly.

Your Primary physicians may be of little help in this area, and this is due to a lack of genetic education in medical schools. Seek out a genetic counselor or start your own investigation as to why a drug may not work, and the above site noted is a good place to start.

It is only recently that genes have been mapped, and not all physicians have to deal on an every day bases with gene interpretation

Stay Healthy
Laura