The Consequences of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Induced CYP2D6 Inhibition in Humans
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology September 12, 2008 Brian O’Mathúna, Magı́ Farré, Amin Rostami‐hodjegan et al. 68 citations
MDMA (ecstasy) strongly inhibits the liver enzyme CYP2D6, which is responsible for metabolizing many drugs. In a controlled trial with 15 healthy men, a single 1.5 mg/kg oral dose of MDMA increased blood levels of the probe drug dextromethorphan about tenfold and reduced its breakdown product dextrorphan. The urinary metabolic ratio rose nearly 100-fold, and two-thirds of participants temporarily showed a metabolic profile typical of poor metabolizers. CYP2D6 activity recovered after 10 days, with a half-life of 46.6 hours. Users should be warned that MDMA can dangerously alter the metabolism of other medications.