Clinical importance of genetic polymorphism of drug oxidation
Edeki, T.
Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine new York 63(5-6): 291-300
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-2507 PMID: 8898530 Document Number: 468670
Certain individuals have a metabolic deficiency in the metabolism of debrisoquin, sparteine, dextromethorphan, and more than 80 other clinically important drugs. Examples of such drugs include tricyclic antidepressants, neuroleptics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, beta-adrenoceptor blockers, and antiarrhythmics. CYP2D6, the enzyme responsible for the metabolism of these drugs, is polymorphically distributed in different populations. Studies in different ethnic groups in particular demonstrate significant variation. CYP2D6 deficiency has important therapeutic consequences, such as increased side effects when medications that are substrates of this enzyme are prescribed for such individuals. To optimize drug therapy, physicians should therefore determine the metabolic capacity of their patients.