From the Lab to the Prescription Pad: Genetics, CYP450 Analysis, and Medication Response

Abstract

Conventional child and adolescent psychopharmacology practices and its inherent risks are reviewed and the implications of pharmacogenomics and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) analysis are discussed. A case study is utilized to further depict the value of CYP450 analysis. An understanding of pharmacogenomics, specifically the CYP450 enzyme system and its involvement in the metabolism of psychotropic medications, can be utilized to improve child and adolescent psychopharmacology practices by prescribers. An integrative literature review from nursing, psychiatry, medicine, and pharmacology. The current trial and error process of choosing medications for child and adolescent psychiatric patients, and the growing trend of polypharmacy, results in poor outcomes and high risk of serious adverse drug reactions. The utilization of knowledge from the field of pharmacogenomics can improve prescribing practices in child and adolescent psychopharmacology management. Psychiatric nurse prescribers can improve treatment outcomes and reduce adverse drug reactions by incorporating information from the study of pharmacogenomics.