Drug absorption genetic polymorphisms

Studies on identical and non-identical twins have shown that much interindividual pharmacokinetic variability is determined genetically. Pharmacokinetic variability may be caused by genetic polymorphism (the situation where several functionally distinct genes are common in a population) in genes involved in drug absorption, distribution and elimination. In recent years, several polymorphisms in genes encoding for transporter proteins have been described. These polymorphisms could alter the absorption, distribution and elimination of compounds that are substrates for these transporters. However, much work remains to be done to understand the clinical implications of these polymorphisms. 

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