Interindividual Variability in Human Drug Metabolism

The book provides an exhaustive, authoritative and updated review on the interindividual variability in drug metabolism in humans. Four chapters address the general background: genetic factors causing variability, interethnic variability, environmental factors and developing and ageing as sources of variability. Six chapters address variability of drug metabolism in vivo: variability of psychotropic drugs, antiepileptic drugs, the dopamine precursor levodopa, cardiovascular active drugs and anti HIV drugs. Seven chapters address the interindividual variability of the main drug metabolizing enzymes: CYP-450s, acetyltransferases, glucuronosyl transferase, methyl transferases, sulfotransferases and glutathione transferases in human liver and extrahepatic tissues. A separate chapter discusses the prediction of drug interaction. Comprehensive in coverage, and with contributions from the leading international experts, this book is essential reading for researchers from both academia and the pharmaceutical industry. Advanced undergraduates and postgraduates in pharmacology, clinical pharmacology, toxicology, biochemistry and epidemiology who are interested in drug metabolism will also find this an indispensable resource.

Gian Maria Pacifici, Olavi Pelkonen