title: Studies of the inhibition of serum pseudocholinesterase activity in vitro by commonly used drugs.
abstract: We studied the effect of 17 commonly used drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, on the activity of serum pseudocholinesterase (PCE) in vitro. Normal pooled human serum was incubated for 120 minutes at 37 degrees C with therapeutic serum concentrations of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and the postincubation PCE activity was measured. Morphine, quinidine, and thioridazine depressed PCE activity by more than 5% while no or negligible effect was noted following incubation with acetaminophen, chlordiazepoxide, chlorpromazine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, methamphetamine, nortriptyline, phenobarbital, phenytoin, procainamide, salicylic acid, theophylline, and valproic acid. Depression of PCE activity can prolong the half-life of coadministered agents with metabolism mediated by PCE.
authors.affiliation: Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, USA.
authors.forename: David N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Briggs
mesh_terms: D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase / Q000097:blood*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase