Isoflavones are the most widely consumed phytoestrogens. Besides being a dietary constituent, their consumption has been increasing in the form of herbal supplements and as promising alternatives to hormonal replacement therapy, in conjunction with prescription medicines. Isoflavones are extensively metabolized by phase I and II enzymes and are substrates of drug transporters. At high concentrations isoflavones may interact with drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters and modulate their activity, thus, altering the absorption, metabolism, distribution, excretion and toxicity profile of the co-administered drugs. This review summarizes the up-to-date literature of isoflavone-drug interactions giving insight into the possible mechanisms of interactions, in vitro-in vivo correlation and their implications on clinical outcomes.
Keywords: Drug interaction; cytochrome P450; induction; inhibition.