estion 1: Venlafaxine, also known by the brand Effexor, is an atypical antidepressant that acts as a tricyclic serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that is used to treat patients with major depressive, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety disorders in adults. It 's more common side effects include gastrointestinal upset, sweating, dry mouth, and sexual dysfunction, and less common side effects include suicidal behavior. It is metabolized in the liver by cytochrome P450 enzymes such as CYP2D6, CYP3A4, and CYP2C9 into certain metabolites such as O-desmethylvenlafaxine and N-desmethylvenlafaxine, depending on the isozyme acting upon it.O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV) inhibit both serotonin and norepinephrine and is not active at histaminergic, muscarinic, or alpha (1) - adrenergic receptors. Question 2: Considering the indications of venlafaxine, the family prescribed this drug is most likely diagnosed with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or some other condition relating to these. …show more content…
These isozymes break venlafaxine stereoisomers into several active metabolites and influence the concentrations of the stereoisomers of venlafaxine and its metabolites. Therefore, there is an effect on the activity of the drug as an SNRI. In this particular case, the polymorphisms within CYP2D6 and CYP2C9 alleles make these patients poor metabolizers of venlafaxine, and the resultant increase in venlafaxine in the blood increase the potential for toxicity, which would explain the side effects experienced by these