The optimization of coumarin anticoagulant therapy: pharmacogenetics and computer assisted dose finding

Abstract

Safety of drug therapy is one of the first concerns of physicians. Nevertheless, 5 to 10 percent of hospital admissions are estimated to be due to side effects from drug therapy. The effects of drugs are sometimes difficult to predict, and factors, such as drug-drug interactions and ageing, interfere with the safety of drug therapy. Monitoring of drug therapy is a toll that can improve drug safety. However, therapeutic drug monitoring is only useful in selected drugs.