Overview
Clinical Meaning
Advanced psychopharmacology requires integration of pharmacokinetic (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) and pharmacodynamic (receptor binding, dose response, toler...
Advanced psychopharmacology requires integration of pharmacokinetic (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) and pharmacodynamic (receptor binding, dose-response, tolerance) principles for complex psychiatric prescribing. Hepatic metabolism through cytochrome P450 enzymes is central: CYP2D6 metabolizes most antipsychotics, many antidepressants (fluoxetine, paroxetine are inhibitors), and opioids; CYP3A4 metabolizes benzodiazepines (except lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam — LOT mnemonic — which undergo glucuronidation), carbamazepine, and quetiapine; CYP1A2 metabolizes clozapine and olanzapine (smoking induces CYP1A2 — smokers need higher doses; smoking cessation requires dose reduction to avoid toxicity); CYP2C19 metabolizes citalopram, escitalopram, and diazepam. Pharmacogenomic testing identifies poor metabolizers (elevated drug levels, toxicity risk) and ultra-rapid metabolizers (subtherapeutic levels, treatment failure). Drug interactions include pharmacokinetic (enzyme induction/inhibition affecting drug levels) and pharmacodynamic (additive/synergistic effects — serotonin syndrome from combined serotonergic agents, QTc prolongation from multiple QT-prolonging drugs, additive sedation from combined CNS depressants). The NP manages polypharmacy by rationalizing prescribing: one drug per target symptom cluster, avoiding duplicative mechanisms, cross-tapering when switching medications, and monitoring therapeutic drug levels when available (lithium, valproic acid, clozapine, carbamazepine).
