Which terms describe the two types of individual variability in drug response?

Which terms describe the two types of individual variability in drug response?

• A. Genetic and environmental
• B. Inter-individual and intra-individual
• C. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic
• D. Population and sample

Answer: (B)

Two kinds of variability in drug response are inter-individual and intra-individual. Inter-individual variability refers to differences in how different people respond to the same drug. These differences come from genetic factors that affect metabolism, as well as age, sex, body size, organ function, disease states, and environmental influences. Intra-individual variability describes how the same person’s response can vary over time or under different conditions. This can be due to changes in metabolism or disease progression, fluctuations in adherence, concurrent medications or meals affecting absorption, and natural physiological rhythms. The other terms describe either factors that contribute to variability, processes by which the drug acts, or study-design terms, rather than the formal categories of variability in drug response.

Two kinds of variability in drug response are inter-individual and intra-individual. Inter-individual variability refers to differences in how different people respond to the same drug. These differences come from genetic factors that affect metabolism, as well as age, sex, body size, organ function, disease states, and environmental influences. Intra-individual variability describes how the same person’s response can vary over time or under different conditions. This can be due to changes in metabolism or disease progression, fluctuations in adherence, concurrent medications or meals affecting absorption, and natural physiological rhythms. The other terms describe either factors that contribute to variability, processes by which the drug acts, or study-design terms, rather than the formal categories of variability in drug response.