Abstract
Introduction:
Therapeutic drug monitoring to optimize blood plasma concentrations is advised for
certain psychiatric drugs. The current standard is to change the dose based on the
blood plasma concentration. We present an overview that blood plasma concentrations
can also be influenced by adding co-medication based on pharmacokinetic knowledge.
Method:
We performed a systematic review in medical databases for pharmaco-enhancing strategies,
and we present 2 cases on actively influencing CYP3A4 metabolism.
Results:
4 original studies were selected on strategies to influence CYP metabolism. 2 studies
on influencing CYP2D6 metabolism, 2 studies on influencing CYP1A2 metabolism. In all
studies an effect of this influence was present.
Discussion:
Ample clinical evidence is present, but shows promising results. Pharmacokinetic knowledge
can and should be used in clinical settings to optimize pharmacotherapy for vulnerable
patients. Also the access to expensive medication can be increased by reduction of
high dosage schemes.
Key words
mental disorders - drug therapy - Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A