Cytochrome P450 enzymes pharmacogenetic differences

It is self-evident that biotransformation will be reduced in patients with liver or kidney disease, in the elderly and also in neonates. In addition, pharmacogenetic differences play a considerable role in the way an individual patient metabolizes a drug. Such differences often result from polymorphisms in the cytochrome P450 family of microsomal enzymes. 

Pharmacogenetics involves the impact of genetic variation on drug response. The link between genetically determined variation in drug metabolism enzymes (e.g., cytochrome p450, N-acetyltransferase) and intersubject differences in pharmacokinetics is well established. Likewise, there is an increasing awareness that differences in transporter expression can impact the efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapy. 

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