Author’s Note
All of the abnormal medication responses portrayed by Kurt Halstead really exist. Most of the drugs that can be administered to humans are processed by a series of enzymes, some of which are called “cytochromes” or designated CYP and others that also have letter codes for their names, such as COMT for Catechol-O- Methyltransferase. Everyone gets two copies of each gene from their biological parents, therefore one or both genes can be “defective.” Both COMT and CYP 2D6 defects, as well as other errors, contribute to poor response to opioid drugs and backwards or paradoxical response to benzodiazepines. This translates to large doses of opiates being needed for even marginal pain control and benzo-style sedatives are better than Red Bull chased with espresso.
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