Metabolic disorders: an overview and key messages for pharmacists

Abstract

Metabolic disorders incorporate a range of diseases that affect the chemical processes in the body. While individually rare, the total number and incidence suggest that every healthcare professional will become involved in the care of a patient with a metabolic disorder. As rare disorders, there are a number of specific difficulties associated with management. Management of these disorders is disease specific and usually incorporates dietary restrictions, medications or a combination of both. This article outlines some of the basic principles of management of metabolic disorders using specific examples to illustrate.