This study suggests that the effect of age on serum concentration of venlafaxine is dependent on CYP genotype, in contrast to escitalopram. Thus, to prevent potential side effects, it might be particularly relevant to consider CYP2D6 genotyping prior to initiation of venlafaxine treatment in older patients.

Aripiprazole, a relatively new antipsychotic drug, is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and CYP2D6 to an active metabolite, dehydroaripiprazole. As studies on pharmacokinetic drug interactions with aripiprazole are so far limited, the aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of comedication on serum concentrations of aripiprazole and dehydroaripiprazole in psychiatric patients in a clinical setting. A therapeutic drug monitoring database was screened for patients receiving aripiprazole tablets as part of their treatment. Of the 361 samples included, 78% were from patients receiving comedication. The remaining 79 samples constituted the control group. Steady-state dose-adjusted serum concentrations (concentration to dose ratios, C:D ratios) of aripiprazole, dehydroaripiprazole and the sum of aripiprazole and dehydroaripiprazole, and the metabolic ratio (dehydroaripiprazole/aripiprazole) in the different comedication groups were compared with controls. Coadministration of a CYP3A4 inducer resulted in approximately 60% lower mean C:D ratios of aripiprazole, dehydroaripiprazole, and the sum of aripiprazole and dehydroaripiprazole (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01, respectively). Combination with a CYP2D6 inhibitor resulted in a 45% higher mean C:D ratio of aripiprazole (P < 0.05), with no effect on the C:D ratio of dehydroaripiprazole. When aripiprazole was coadministered with alimemazine or lithium, a 56% (P < 0.01) and 43% (P = 0.05) higher mean C:D ratio of aripiprazole, respectively, was observed. Olanzapine, risperidone injections, escitalopram, or lamotrigine also had statistically significant effects on aripiprazole disposition but to a lesser extent. In conclusion, concurrent treatment with CYP3A4 inducers, CYP2D6 inhibitors, alimemazine, or lithium resulted in changes in the systemic exposure of aripiprazole between 40% and 60%. This is of such a magnitude that dose adjustments of aripiprazole may be required.

Patients older than 65 years had a 1.5- to 2-fold higher exposure of most antidepressant drugs compared with those younger than 40 years when given equal doses. This may indicate an increased risk of concentration-dependent side effects in the elderly.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of ageing on serum concentrations of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone in patients with known CYP2D6 genotype. We included retrospective therapeutic drug monitoring data from 464 genotyped patients with measured serum concentrations of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone after oral administration. Patients were divided into two age subgroups, that is ≤65 (n = 396) and >65 years (n = 68), and dose-adjusted concentrations (C:D ratios) were compared using multiple linear regression analyses with CYP2D6 genotype and gender as covariates. Moreover, absolute concentrations and prescribed daily doses were compared between age subgroups by simple, univariate Mann-Whitney tests. Age had no effect on C:D ratio of risperidone (p > 0.4), but C:D ratios of 9-hydroxyrisperidone and risperidone + 9-hydroxyrisperidone (total active moiety) were estimated to be 2.6 and 2.0 times higher in patients >65 versus ≤65 years (p < 0.001). Female gender and a CYP2D6 poor metabolizer (PM) genotype were also associated with significantly higher C:D ratio of the total active moiety (p < 0.01). Despite lower dosing in patients >65 versus ≤65 years (median 1.5 versus 3.0 mg/day, p < 0.0001), absolute concentration of the total active moiety did not differ between the age subgroups (median 52.5 versus 47.0 nmol/L, p > 0.6). In conclusion, ageing implies significantly increased dose-adjusted serum concentration of risperidone active moiety, and treatment intensity is not generally reduced by halving the oral dose in the elderly. Tolerability of risperidone therapy should therefore be closely monitored in older patients, and female CYP2D6 PMs >65 years might be a particularly vulnerable subgroup of adverse effects.