Final answer:
Anticoagulants like heparin and warfarin are used to prevent blood clots. Pharmacogenomics can optimize anticoagulant therapy and reduce risks by studying how genetic factors affect drug metabolism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Heparin, enoxaparin sodium (Lovenox), and warfarin sodium (Coumadin) are anticoagulant substances used to prevent excessive blood clotting in patients who are at risk for events such as strokes or heart attacks. Heparin works rapidly and is often used in acute settings, such as during surgery, to reduce the immediate risk of clots. Warfarin, by contrast, is a vitamin K antagonist that is used for long-term management of clotting disorders. The effect of warfarin depends on liver function and can vary among individuals. Pharmacogenomics can help tailor anticoagulant therapy to individuals, optimizing drug responses and minimizing the risk of overdose by understanding genetic factors that influence drug metabolism.