title: The effect of carbamazepine on the 2-hydroxylation of desipramine.
abstract: The effect of carbamazepine (CBZ, 200 mg twice daily for 28 days) on the kinetics of a single oral dose of desipramine (DMI, 100 mg) was investigated in six healthy volunteers. Compared with a control session, treatment with CBZ caused a marked increase in DMI apparent oral clearance (from 1.05 +/- 0.40 to 1.38 +/- 0.52 1 h per kg, means +/- SD, P < 0.01) and a significant shortening in DMI half-life (from 22.1 +/- 3.5 to 17.8 +/- 3.5 h, P < 0.01). The amount of 2-hydroxydesipramine (2-OH-DMI) excreted in urine over a 24-h period was significantly increased during CBZ intake (from 75 +/- 15 to 92 +/- 16 mumol, P < 0.01). These findings suggest that CBZ induces the 2-hydroxylation of DMI, a reaction primarily catalyzed by the polymorphic CYP2D6 isozyme. This interaction may have considerable practical significance.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Spina
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avenoso
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Campo
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Caputi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Perucca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003891:Desipramine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D006900:Hydroxylation; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D002220:Carbamazepine; D003891:Desipramine