Part 10: Special Topics
Advanced & Emerging Topics
Modern pharmacology extends beyond traditional drug classes to include pharmacogenomics, toxicology, special populations, and the growing field of biologics. These topics represent the cutting edge of personalized medicine and therapeutic innovation.
Topics in This Part
10.1 Pharmacogenomics
Genetic variation in drug response, CYP polymorphisms, personalized medicine
10.2 Toxicology
Dose-toxicity relationships, antidotes, drug overdose, therapeutic index
10.3 Drug Abuse
Addiction neurobiology, reward pathways, treatment approaches
10.4 Pediatric Pharmacology
Developmental pharmacology, dosing considerations, off-label use
10.5 Geriatric Pharmacology
Age-related changes, polypharmacy, Beers criteria, deprescribing
10.6 Biologics & Biosimilars
Monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, gene therapy, CAR-T
Pharmacogenomic Examples
| Gene | Drug | Clinical Impact |
|---|---|---|
| CYP2D6 | Codeine | Poor → no effect; Ultra-rapid → toxicity |
| CYP2C19 | Clopidogrel | Poor metabolizers have reduced efficacy |
| VKORC1 | Warfarin | Variants affect dosing requirements |
| HLA-B*5701 | Abacavir | Hypersensitivity reaction risk |
Connection to Molecular Biology
Pharmacogenomics and biologics represent the convergence of pharmacology with molecular biology and genetics. Understanding these topics requires knowledge of: