Age and genetics affect how well you respond to a pain medication and whether a standard dose is right for you.

When it comes to medications, one size does not fit all. The genes that make you unique also may affect how you respond to the medicines you take. So, the standard dose that works for most people may not be adequate for you, or it could trigger potentially dangerous side effects. Add to the mix the age-related changes in your metabolism and it’s easy to understand why some prescriptions may work immediately and others may require some tweaking. "It’s tricky, and drug metabolism can play a role in the dose of medications," says Mandy Leonard, R.Ph., Pharm.D., BCPS, manager of Cleveland Clinic’s Drug Information Service. "Sometimes you can’t say one dose fits all. Every patient is a little different, so there could be some dose adjustments a physician would need to consider."

Subscribers:
View the Full Story

Non-subscribers:
Purchase Selection or begin your FREE 14-day trial subscription to arthritis-advisor.com