Final answer:
Warfarin (Coumadin) is the drug used for 6-month maintenance anticoagulation therapy following the acute phase of pulmonary embolism, and pharmacogenomics can aid in personalizing dosing to prevent overdose.
Step-by-step explanation:
The drug used for a 6-month duration after the acute phase of pulmonary embolism treatment is Warfarin (Coumadin). During the acute phase, medications such as heparin may be used initially, and then the patient is typically transitioned to Warfarin for long-term anticoagulation. It is crucial for patients on Warfarin to have their blood levels regularly monitored to ensure therapeutic dosing and to minimize the risk of bleeding complications. Pharmacogenomics could be particularly useful in this scenario as it can guide personalized dosing of Warfarin based on an individual's genetic makeup, which influences how they metabolize the drug.
Identifying the correct anticoagulant therapy is important to prevent the formation of new clots and manage existing ones, which could lead to serious health issues such as additional pulmonary emboli, strokes, or heart attacks. The goal is to maintain adequate anticoagulation while avoiding overdose and associated complications.