Final answer:
Factors altering drug effects include age, gender, genetic characteristics, and food, but not all possible individual characteristics can alter drug effects. Genetic differences can influence drug metabolism and efficacy. Pharmacogenomics may predict drug responses but does not guarantee altering effects through counter-acting drugs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Factors that may alter drug effects include a variety of genetic and environmental considerations, but they do not encompass all possible individual characteristics. Some factors that can influence the pharmacokinetics of a drug in humans are age, gender, genetic characteristics, and interactions with food. Age can affect drug metabolism, and as we age our bodies may become less efficient at processing medications. Gender differences can affect how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. Genetic polymorphisms, particularly in enzymes responsible for drug metabolism like cytochrome P450 enzymes, can lead to variations in how individuals respond to specific drugs, sometimes resulting in differing efficacy and risk of adverse effects. Food can also influence the absorption and metabolism of drugs, sometimes interfering with their effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.
However, not all factors can be altered to affect drug effects or the rate of aging. For instance, pharmacogenomics may identify potential interactions and inform prescription choices, but it does not mean that a counter-acting drug will be provided to decrease the effect of another drug like Coumadin, as the role of pharmacogenomics is more about predicting potential responses to drugs.