Effect of genetic variation on side-effects of HIV drugs

In addition to drug levels, the other major area of research interest in pharmacogenetics is the association of human genetic variation with the incidence or severity of drug side-effects. In HIV treatment, some of these are directly related to elevated drug levels, such as the impact of metabolising enzymes on levels of efavirenz (Sustiva) and increased severity of neurological side-effects.

Genetic testing also has the potential to identify patients who are at risk of severe or life-threatening effects of drugs. The clinical benefit of this capability is obvious and has been demonstrated by the successful introduction of haplotype testing to reduce incidence of patients experiencing hypersensitivity reactions to the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) abacavir (Ziagen).

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