Certain haplotypes in combination can influence how a person's body metabolizes drugs. This is because these haplotypes can affect the function of enzymes responsible for drug metabolism. A change or variation in the DNA sequence of a gene that codes for a drug-metabolizing enzyme can increase or decrease the activity of that enzyme.
Based on the activity of these enzymes (influenced by haplotypes), individuals can be classified into different metabolizer categories:
- Poor Metabolizers (PMs): These individuals have little or no enzyme activity due to certain genetic variations. As a result, they might not metabolize certain drugs efficiently, leading to a higher risk of side effects because the drug remains in their system for a longer time.
- Intermediate Metabolizers (IMs): These people have reduced enzyme activity. They metabolize drugs slower than normal metabolizers but faster than poor metabolizers.
- Extensive Metabolizers (EMs): This is the "standard" or "expected" rate of metabolization. Drugs are metabolized at a regular rate, leading to expected drug efficacy and side effects.
- Ultrarapid Metabolizers (UMs): These individuals have increased enzyme activity. They break down certain drugs very quickly, which can decrease the effectiveness of the drug because it's cleared from their system too rapidly.
In conclusion, understanding one's haplotype and consequent metabolizer status can be crucial for personalized medicine. It can provide guidance on drug selection and dosing to optimize therapeutic outcomes and minimize adverse reactions.