Description
The cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes catalyze the oxidation of many drugs and chemicals. CYP450 is a large enzyme family that has over 50 isoenzymes. Individual differences of cytochrome P450 activity can result in the total absence of the metabolism of certain drugs to ultrafast metabolism and can also lead to adverse drug reactions or a lack of therapeutic effect under standard therapy conditions. CYP2D6 is gene 6 within the D subfamily, in the 2 family of CYP450. It metabolizes 25% of all prescribed drugs, such as codeine, tricyclic antidepressants (eg, nortriptyline), SSRI fluvoxamine, SSNRI venlafaxine, classical antipsychotics (eg, haloperidol), and beta-blockers. Specific variants in this gene also influence the metabolism of the breast cancer drug, tamoxifen, in postmenopausal women. Genetic polymorphisms of CYP2D6 could be used to predict the altered enzyme activity and address the potential effects of metabolized drugs.
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