Drug-metabolizing enzymes inter-individual variations

CYP2C19 is another example of the existence of both cross-ethnic and inter-individual variations in drug metabolism. This enzyme is involved in the metabolism of many psychotropics such as diazepam and tertiary tricyclic antidepressants, as well as one of the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), citalopram. Using S-mephenytoin as the probe, previous studies showed that up to 20% of East Asians (Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans) are PMs, when only 3-5%... 

Ethnic differences have been shown to influence response to psychotropic medications. Much of the focus on the explanation for such differences has been on drug-metabolizing (CYP) enzymes of the liver and their sway over pharmacokinetic factors. It is now well recognized that differences in the distribution of polymorphic variants of CYP enzymes exist between different ethnic groups. However, within ethnic groups there are considerable inter-individual variations in drug kinetics, which may not be accounted for solely by genetic variation. Responses to pharmacotherapy are multifaceted and involve the interaction of environmental and... 

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