Effect of CYP2D6 genotype on duloxetine serum concentration

Abstract

Duloxetine is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A2 and CYP2D6. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CYP2D6 genotype on duloxetine serum concentration adjusting for age and sex. Patients were included retrospectively from a therapeutic drug monitoring service. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate the effect of CYP2D6 genotype, age and sex on duloxetine concentration‐to‐dose (C/D) ratio. In total, 269 patients were included and assigned to the following genotype‐predicted phenotype subgroups: CYP2D6 poor metabolizers (PMs, n = 23), intermediate metabolizers (IMs, n = 121), normal metabolizers (NMs, n = 120), and ultrarapid metabolizers (UMs, n = 5). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a 95% higher duloxetine C/D ratio in PMs compared with NMs (P = 0.009). Patients ≥65 years had a 56% higher C/D ratio than younger patients (P = 0.01), while women had a 46% higher C/D ratio than men (P = 0.04). In conclusion, CYP2D6 PM phenotype is associated with a twofold higher concentration at recommended dosing compared with NM phenotype. CYP2D6 PM females above 65 years are at particular risk of high duloxetine levels as they may obtain threefold higher C/D ratio compared with younger, male NMs.