Low dosage of levomepromazine did not increase plasma concentrations of fluvoxamine.

Abstract

The cytochrome enzyme P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is thought to play a role in the human metabolism of fluvoxamine. Levomepromazine is a potent inhibitor of CYP2D6. We coadministered a low dosage of levomepromazine and fluvoxamine in 15 patients and found that the low dosage of levomepromazine was effective in counteracting the fluvoxamine-induced insomnia and did not increase plasma fluvoxamine levels. These results suggest that the inhibition of CYP2D6 by levomepromazine has little effect on fluvoxamine metabolism. Therefore, a low dosage of levomepromazine, used as a hypnotic agent, appears to be effective and safe when coadministered with fluvoxamine. Since this was a pilot study without a placebo control, a double-blind placebo-controlled study is needed to confirm our preliminary findings.

• Authors: R Yoshimura, N Ueda, J Nakamura
• Journal: International clinical psychopharmacology (Int Clin Psychopharmacol) Vol. 15 Issue 4 Pg. 233-5 (Jul 2000) ISSN: 0268-1315 [Print] England
• PMID: 10954064 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6 Inhibitors
• Methotrimeprazine
• Fluvoxamine

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6 Inhibitors
• Depressive Disorder, Major (blood, drug therapy)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Fluvoxamine (administration & dosage, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics)
• Humans
• Male
• Methotrimeprazine (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Middle Aged
• Panic Disorder (blood, drug therapy)
• Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders (blood, chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome