Debrisoquin is an antihypertensive drug having guanethidine-like properties, which inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO) and does not enter the brain. Debrisoquine was used for the treatment of hypertension. Debrisoquine hydroxylation phenotype has been the most used test in humans to evaluate CYP2D6 activity. Two debrisoquine hydroxylation phenotypes have been described: poor and extensive metabolizers. A group with a very low debrisoquine metabolic ratio within the extensive metabolizers, named ultrarapid metabolizers, has also been distinguished. This CYP2D6 variability can be for a large part alternatively determined by genotyping, which appears to be of clinical importance given CYP2D6 involvement in the metabolism of a large number of commonly prescribed drugs.

Debrisoquin is an antihypertensive drug having guanethidine-like properties, which inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO) and does not enter the brain. Debrisoquine was used for the treatment of hypertension. Debrisoquine hydroxylation phenotype has been the most used test in humans to evaluate CYP2D6 activity. Two debrisoquine hydroxylation phenotypes have been described: poor and extensive metabolizers. A group with a very low debrisoquine metabolic ratio within the extensive metabolizers, named ultrarapid metabolizers, has also been distinguished. This CYP2D6 variability can be for a large part alternatively determined by genotyping, which appears to be of clinical importance given CYP2D6 involvement in the metabolism of a large number of commonly prescribed drugs.