The isozyme debrisoquine hydroxylase (CYP2D6) is central for the elimination of neuroleptic drugs. The capacity to hydroxylate debrisoquine is currently examined by genotyping of the isozyme. Approximately 7% of Europeans have a reduced capacity to hydroxylate debrisoquine, and they are de®ned as poor metabolizers. Two studies of small samples of well-de®ned patients with schizophrenia have shown that 6 . 5±6 . 6% were poor metabolizers, which is close to the rate in psychic normals. We found a total rate of 3 . 9% of poor metabolizers in a big sample (N 509) of patients with schizophrenia. The rate in the Danish subsample (N 221) was 4 . 5%, and in the Norwegian subsample (N 288) the rate was 3 . 5%. Our results indicate that the true rate of poor metabolizers among patient's with schizophrenia is still to be determined. #
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