Problem solving in psychopharmacotherapy using pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenetic tests

Many problems such as non-response, pharmacokinetic interactions with clinical consequences and adverse effects (pharmacovigilance) may be observed in patients submitted to psychopharmacotherapy. These risks are increased in patients belonging to the category of “special populations”: elderly patients, children and adolescents, patients with a genetic particularity of metabolism or suffering from somatic or psychic comorbidities. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenetic tests are useful to solve problems in psychopharmacotherapy and thus improve efficacy and safety. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is particularly recommended in situations presented above and in patients who are non-compliant. …