Medications: what may work, what may not.

Muscle aches and fatigue are commonly reported. Different statins clear differently, so switching often helps.

Also sold as: atorvastatin, lipitor, simvastatin, rosuvastatin, crestor · Used for lowering cholesterol

You may clear it much faster. Transplant teams routinely test this gene for exactly this reason.

Also sold as: prograf, cyclosporine · Used for preventing transplant rejection

You may turn less of this pill into the active form. Some people get less protection than expected — this one is worth asking about.

Also sold as: plavix · Used for keeping blood from clotting after a stent or heart event

You may clear it a bit slower, so it can feel stronger or last longer than expected.

Also sold as: prilosec, esomeprazole, nexium, pantoprazole · Used for heartburn and reflux

You may hold onto more of the medicine. Starting low and going slow is often the smoother path.

Also sold as: lexapro, citalopram, celexa, sertraline, zoloft · Used for low mood and anxiety

You may need less than average, and levels can swing. Closer monitoring is common.

Also sold as: coumadin · Used for preventing clots

May stay in your system longer. Stomach upset and fluid retention can show up more easily.

Also sold as: advil, motrin, aleve, celecoxib, celebrex, meloxicam · Used for aches, inflammation, cramps

Levels can run higher than average — side effects may show up at 'normal' doses.

Also sold as: dilantin, glipizide, glyburide, losartan · Used for seizures, blood sugar, blood pressure

Your histamine clean-up enzyme may run lower, so you may lean on antihistamines more than most people.

Also sold as: benadryl, diphenhydramine, cetirizine, zyrtec, loratadine, claritin · Used for allergy symptoms, hives, itching

Your blood vessels may relax a little less easily — blood pressure is worth watching.

Also sold as: nitrates, sildenafil, viagra · Used for chest pain, blood-vessel widening

Your body converts it to the pain-relieving form as expected.

Also sold as: tramadol, ultram · Used for moderate pain, some cough syrups

Converts to its active form the usual way.

Also sold as: nolvadex · Used for breast cancer prevention and treatment

Cleared at a typical speed.

Also sold as: lopressor, toprol, carvedilol, propranolol · Used for blood pressure, heart rate, palpitations

Typical dosing is usually a reasonable fit.

Also sold as: prozac, paxil, venlafaxine, effexor, duloxetine, cymbalta · Used for low mood, anxiety, hot flashes

Cleared as expected.

Also sold as: elavil, nortriptyline, doxepin · Used for nerve pain, migraine prevention, sleep

You likely clear caffeine quickly. Afternoon coffee may not wreck your sleep.

Also sold as: coffee, espresso, energy drink, theophylline · Used for alertness — and it uses the same liver enzyme as some medicines