30th August 2024

Acetylator status

Acetylation is a type of phase II reaction of drug metabolism, and it involves adding an acetyl group to a drug. This is known as conjugation, and it helps to inactivate and excrete the products. The transfer of acetyl groups is catalysed by an enzyme N-acetyltransferase which the patient may be deficient in. Acetylator status affects the following medications:

• Sulfasalazine
• Procainamide
• Dapsone
• Isoniazid
• Hydralazine

This means that if a patient is a ‘slow acetylator’, they are at a higher risk of developing toxicity when given any of the above drugs.

Reference

• Pande JN, Pande A, Singh SP. Acetylator status, drug metabolism and disease. Natl Med J India. 2003 Jan-Feb;16(1):24-6. PMID: 12715953