title: Bupropion plasma levels and CYP2D6 phenotype.
abstract: All available antidepressants with the exception of fluvoxamine and nefazodone either are metabolized by cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) and/or inhibit this isozyme. To date, nothing in this regard has been published concerning bupropion. We report that plasma level/dose ratios for bupropion, and its metabolites erythrohydrobupropion and threohydrobupropion, were not associated with debrisoquine metabolic status in 12 patients, three of whom were poor 2D6 metabolizers. The plasma level/dose ratios for the metabolite hydroxybupropion were, however, significantly higher in poor 2D6 metabolizers. In three patients, who received a second phenotyping test during treatment with bupropion, debrisoquine metabolic ratios were not increased. It is thus inferred that bupropion is neither metabolized by nor inhibits CYP2D6. The potential accumulation of hydroxybupropion after CYP2D6 inhibition may, however, contribute to toxicity and impair bupropion's therapeutic effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Pollock
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sweet
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kirshner
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000097:blood*; D016642:Bupropion / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood*; D019389:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6 / Q000235:genetics*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D016642:Bupropion; D019389:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6