Citation ResearchAbSTRACT Aim: To determine the interaction of over-the-counter (OTC) and illicit psychostimulants at the cytochrome P450 enzyme, CYP2D6. CYP2D6 is responsible for 20% of hepatic Phase I metabolism and is a site of drug-drug interactions, leading to increased drug toxicity. Materials and Methods: We examined the effects the OTC drugs; 1) the prototype H 2 -antagonist cimetidine (CMT) and 2) the opioid agonist cough suppressant dextromethorphan (DEX); as well as two scheduled drugs, methamphetamine (MA) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) for their ability to interfere with CYP2D6 activity. Assays with human CYP2D6 determined the inhibitory potential (IC 50 ) of each drug. Kinetic analysis (V max and K m ) was accomplished using rodent hepatic microsomes. Results: Maximum inhibition of CYP2D6 activity following exposure to CMT+MDMA was significantly reduced 75-85% compared to quinidine (control) values. These data showed inhibitory effects in CYP2D6 activity in each compound tested. Alterations in CYP2D6 activity may result in complex drug-drug interactions leading to elevated plasma levels of drugs and increased risk for toxicity. Assays using rat CYP2D2 demonstrated V max elevations in the CMT group (493%) compared to control (naïve, no treatment) values (19.9±5.1 pmol/mg protein/ min). The K m was increased 218% in CMT compared to controls (3.1±0.5 μM). Collectively, all MA challenged groups exhibited increases in total enzyme [V max ; 280-490%] and affinity [K m ; 165-220%] values compared to the control group. The increase in both V max and K m suggests that the low affinity/high capacity CYP2D2 isoform is upregulated. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that in vivo, MA acts as a CYP2D2-inducer, which will lead to altered secondary drug metabolism, increasing the risk of drug-related toxicity. Coupled with the ability of CMT and DEX to interfere with MA metabolism, a complex drug-drug interaction is possible, leading to increased toxicity. Our findings substantiate the hypothesis that the combination of illicit and OTC drugs could result in complex drug-drug interactions increasing the risk for severe drug-related toxicity.