substrates vs. inhibitors vs. inducers

[colforASCENT]

can someone explain how the three relate and how i should use that information to potentiate and avoid counteractions?

specifically this one comes up often:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CYP3A4


Thanks!
-newb

 

[sekio]

Substrates are what an enzyme works on (metabolizes or breaks down). Inhibitors stop an enzyme from worjking as well, inducers make it work better.

 

[fryingsquirrel]

Substrates (in this context) give the enzymes something else to work on beside the drug you want to potentiate. The other two seem self explanatory.

 

[colforASCENT]

ok, but then with that logic

Substrates are what an enzyme works on (metabolizes or breaks down). Inhibitors stop an enzyme from worjking as well, inducers make it work better.

ok, so then grapefruit juice potentiates alprozolam by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks it down? - makes sense.

what about something that would reduce the effects the modafinil?