Mnemonic

Cytochrome P450 Interactions

A mnemonic for the common enzyme inducers and inhibitors.

Expansion

Inducers speed metabolism and reduce effect; inhibitors slow it and increase effect

Expansion

Inducers (increase metabolism, so reduce drug levels) - CRAP GPS

  • C - Carbamazepine
  • R - Rifampicin
  • A - Alcohol (chronic)
  • P - Phenytoin
  • G - Griseofulvin
  • P - Phenobarbital
  • S - Sulphonylureas, St John’s wort, smoking

Inhibitors (reduce metabolism, so increase drug levels) - AODEVICES

  • A - Allopurinol, amiodarone
  • O - Omeprazole
  • D - Disulfiram
  • E - Erythromycin and other macrolides
  • V - Valproate
  • I - Isoniazid
  • C - Ciprofloxacin, cimetidine
  • E - Ethanol (acute)
  • S - Sulphonamides

Also grapefruit juice, azole antifungals and protease inhibitors.

Timing distinguishes them clinically: inhibition acts within hours, while induction requires new protein synthesis and takes days to weeks, with a similar delay on stopping. This is why the INR of a warfarinised patient started on rifampicin falls gradually, and rises dangerously weeks after rifampicin is stopped if the dose was increased.