Unit of Pharmacogenetics and Clinical Psychopharmacology (UPPC)
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR CHIN B. EAP, HEAD OF SERVICE
Consultation de psychopharmacologie clinique (réservée aux professionnels de la santé) : 021 314 2707
Lundi à vendredi de 9-12h et 13-17h
Renseignements techniques concernant les dosages de médicaments psychotropes : 021 314 2264
The Unit of Pharmacogenetics and Clinical Psychopharmacology (UPPC) is involved in three principal fields of activity :
1) Basic and clinical research in the field of clinical psychopharmacology (metabolism and mechanisms of action of psychotropic drugs; relationship between drug plasma levels and clinical efficacy or adverse events) and in the field of pharmacogenetics (influence of genetic factors on the interindividual variability of the therapeutic response and adverse events induced by drugs). In particular, an important study is presently underway on the clinical and genetic risk factors for drug-induced metabolic syndrome in psychiatry;
2) Medico-technical services in the field of plasma quantification of psychotropic drugs and clinical interpretation (Therapeutic Drug Monitoring), urine screening for drugs of abuse;
3) Medico-technical services in the field of molecular biology related to pharmacogenetics (cytochromes P450).
Other activities :
- Coordination within the Department of Psychiatry of the Lausanne University Hospital, of activities in the field of clinical psychopharmacology and pharmacogenetics (multi-center and multi-field research studies). Collaboration in particular with SUPAA (psychiatry of advanced age), SUPEA (child and adolescent psychiatry), and PGE (general psychiatry).
- Pharmacovigilance program (security of drugs used in psychiatry).
- Seminars in clinical psychopharmacology and help to prescription for MDs in the different services of the Department of Psychiatry and in private practice.
- Pre-grade and post-grade lecture and teaching to university students (physicians, biologists and pharmacists), laboratory assistants as well as medical laboratory assistants (ESSanté) .
- Supervision of theses for PhD, MD-PhD and MD degree students.
New dosages of psychotropic drugs: Measurement of plasma levels of brexpiprazole (Rexulti) and cariprazine (Reagila), two new antipsychotics, now available.
The medication treatment of psychiatric patients requires optimizing and individual adaption, as its success depends on genetic, environmental, psychological and social factors. Our research on drug transformation in the organism aims to improve treatment by means of :
- Development of methods analyzing psychotropic drugs and substance tests used for phenotyping (pharmacogenetic tests) in various biological samples. Methods have been introduced that allow to genotype (PCR, etc.) for the P-450 cytochromes and other proteins.
- Study of the metabolism (e.g. CYP450), of the transport (by the P-glycoprotein, etc), and of the mechanism of action of drugs.
- Clinical studies PK-PD (pharmacokinetic - pharmacodynamic) with patients undergoing a treatment are carried out to find if there is a relationship between the plasma levels of psychotropic drugs and their clinical effects, taking into account genetic factors.
- Within the framework of the pharmacovigilance program, studies are carried out on the intake of drugs as well as the side effects of psychotropic drugs.
UPPC Seminars (Journal Club and Pharmacovigilance Cases)
- Psychopharmacology seminars:
The sessions scheduled for May 14 and November 12, 2020 are CANCELLED due to COVID. Dates will be proposed for the year 2021 depending on the evolution of the pandemic.
- Journal Club and pharmacovigilance cases: about once a month on Thursday at 9:15 am, Centre de Neurosciences Psychiatriques, meeting room on the 3rd floor. Contact us for the program at labo.uppc(at)chuv.ch
Enclosures : Forms for the required analyses
Psychotropic drugs
Clinical determinations
Genotyping
Phenotyping
Enclosures : Clinical Psychopharmacology