Pharm question

[MedStudentWanna]

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We just started pharm and I'm lost. I know this is basic, but if a drug is metabolized by CYP 450, what does that mean? I know it means it has a lot of possible drug interactions, but why? I don't get it.

 

[christina30]

Many drugs are known to either induce or inhibit the CYP enzymes, thus leading to many different possible drug interactions.

Let's say a patient is taking 2 drugs: A & B. Drug A is metabolized by CYP in the liver, but Drug B is an inhibitor of CYP. The serum levels of Drug A will thus be higher than expected, given the dose, because metabolism is slowed (the enzyme is inhibited, so metabolism is also inhibited), and thus there is a risk of toxicity.

If Drug B were an inducer of CYP enzymes, then serum levels of Drug A would probably be sub-therapeutic (metabolism is stimulated/sped up due to enzyme induction.)

Not sure if this helps, hope it does.

 

[J ROD]

CYP 450's are enzymes in the liver that breakdown the drugs....

inducers can make the drug in question be broke down faster...

inhibitors can make the drug in question be broke down slower.....

a simple google search can explain the process of inducing/inhibiting....

 

[MedStudentWanna]

Got it, guys! Thanks so much! We haven't gotten into which drugs induce or inhibit CYP yet. We were just told it existed and that the possibility of the most common drug interactions involved it.

Thanks for explaining!