[Role of cytochrome P450 enzymes in pharmaceutical preparations]

Cytochrome P450 enzymes are responsible for pharmacokinetic interactions with sometimes serious adverse effects. If a drug is known to be a substrate, inhibitor or inducer of one of the cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, it can be estimated with which other drugs it will interact. The interaction profile of a new drug plays an increasing role in the assessment of the benefit/risk ratio by regulatory authorities. Interactions in practical situation can, however, never be ruled out without proper precautions of both pharmacists and physicians. More attention for the possible occurrence of interactions and searching for a good alternative for one of the drugs to be used should lead to a reduction in the number of adverse events related to interactions.