Cytochrome P450

Definition

A superfamily of liver enzymes responsible for metabolizing approximately 75% of all drugs. Key isoforms include CYP3A4 (metabolizes ~50% of drugs), CYP2D6, CYP2C9, and CYP1A2. Drugs that inhibit or induce these enzymes can significantly alter the metabolism of other medications.

Related Terms

Mentioned in Guides

• The CYP450 System Explained
  An accessible explanation of the cytochrome P450 enzyme system — the liver's main drug-processing machinery and the source of most …
• Alcohol and Medications
  A comprehensive guide to how alcohol interacts with common medications — from antihistamines and sleep aids to blood thinners, diabetes …
• Herbal Supplements and Drug Interactions
  A science-based guide to how popular herbal supplements — St. John's Wort, ginkgo, echinacea, and others — interact with prescription …
• Blood Thinner Interactions
  An in-depth guide to drug interactions with anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications — including warfarin, DOACs, and aspirin — covering both …
• Antidepressant Interactions
  A guide to the most clinically important interactions involving antidepressants — including serotonin syndrome, CYP450 effects, and interactions with pain …
• Antibiotics and Other Drug Interactions
  A practical guide to the most important antibiotic-drug interactions — including effects on warfarin, oral contraceptives, antacids, and the risk …
• Medications and Liver Disease
  How liver disease affects drug metabolism and first-pass elimination, why hepatic dose adjustments are less predictable than renal adjustments, and …
• Pharmacogenomics: Your Genes and Your Drugs
  Your DNA affects how your body processes medications. Pharmacogenomics explains why the same drug can work differently from one person …
• The Microbiome and Drug Metabolism
  Trillions of bacteria in your gut can transform drugs before they even reach your bloodstream. Learn how the gut microbiome …