ABSTRACT
The cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme system is a major determinant of the clearance of the vast majority of drugs. As such, it determines the magnitude and duration of the effects of most drugs, which is relevant to the pharmacology of sleep in two ways:
• Alterations in either the magnitude or the duration of effects of sedative-hypnotic (S-H) drugs will determine their efficacy, toxicity/tolerability, and/ or cumulative effects, and potentially the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
