Pharmacologists are experts who study how medicines work in our bodies. One of their important jobs is to make sure that drugs don’t cause harmful effects, called adverse drug reactions (ADRs). They use scientific evidence to help with this. Here are some ways they do it:
Looking at Clinical Trial Data: Pharmacologists carefully check the results of clinical trials. These trials test how well drugs work and if they cause any problems. For example, if a medicine is shown to cause a lot of stomach bleeding in trials, doctors can think about this risk before deciding to prescribe it to patients.
Understanding Genetics: Some people have unique genes that can change how their bodies react to certain medicines. Pharmacologists use this information to find the best medication for each person. For instance, if a patient has a genetic makeup that affects how a medicine is processed, they might need a different treatment that is safer and works better. This can help reduce the chances of having harmful side effects.
Monitoring Drugs After Approval: Even after a drug is approved and on the market, pharmacologists keep an eye on its safety. They gather information about how patients are reacting to the drug in real life. If they notice that many patients are having a rare but serious reaction, doctors can be informed right away. This allows them to think about alternative treatments.
By combining what they learn from clinical trials with real-world experiences and focusing on individual patients, pharmacologists help keep patients safe while ensuring they get the best possible treatment.
Pharmacologists are experts who study how medicines work in our bodies. One of their important jobs is to make sure that drugs don’t cause harmful effects, called adverse drug reactions (ADRs). They use scientific evidence to help with this. Here are some ways they do it:
Looking at Clinical Trial Data: Pharmacologists carefully check the results of clinical trials. These trials test how well drugs work and if they cause any problems. For example, if a medicine is shown to cause a lot of stomach bleeding in trials, doctors can think about this risk before deciding to prescribe it to patients.
Understanding Genetics: Some people have unique genes that can change how their bodies react to certain medicines. Pharmacologists use this information to find the best medication for each person. For instance, if a patient has a genetic makeup that affects how a medicine is processed, they might need a different treatment that is safer and works better. This can help reduce the chances of having harmful side effects.
Monitoring Drugs After Approval: Even after a drug is approved and on the market, pharmacologists keep an eye on its safety. They gather information about how patients are reacting to the drug in real life. If they notice that many patients are having a rare but serious reaction, doctors can be informed right away. This allows them to think about alternative treatments.
By combining what they learn from clinical trials with real-world experiences and focusing on individual patients, pharmacologists help keep patients safe while ensuring they get the best possible treatment.