| |
Published:
Journal of Analytical Toxicology,
ISSN 0146-4760,
Volume 32, Number 2, March,
pp.178-182
SHORT COMMUNICATION:
CYP2D6 Ultrarapid Metabolism and Morphine/Codeine Ratios in Blood:
Was it Codeine or Heroin?
Y.J. He[1], J. Brockmöller[2], H. Schmidt[3],
I. Roots[4], and J. Kirchheiner[1],
[1]Institute of Pharmacology of Natural Products and Clinical Pharmacology,
University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany;
[2]Department of Clinical Pharmacology,
Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany;
[3]pharmazentrum
frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Johann Wolfgang
Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany; and
[4]Institute of Clinical
Pharmacology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin,
Germany
The concentration ratio of morphine (Mor) over
codeine (Cod) in opiate positive blood samples is used to discriminate
between the use of illegal heroin (high ratios) and therapeutic
codeine (low ratios). However, genetically caused CYP2D6 ultra-rapid
metabolism might lead to Mor/Cod comparable to heroin intake.
A single oral dose of 30 mg codeine was administered to 11 CYP2D6
ultrarapid metabolizers (UMs) and 12 extensive metabolizers (EMs).
Codeine and its morphine metabolites and Mor/Cod were quantified
in plasma and urine by liquid chromatography with tandem mass
spectrometry within 24 h after codeine intake. The Mor/Cod in
plasma were below 1 for both UMs and EMs during the first 12
h. After 12 h, 9% of the 11 UM and none of the 12 EM had ratios > 1.
In urine, Mor/Cod ratios were below one for all EMs and UMs during
the first 12 h. Thus, CYP2D6 genotyping in general will not explain
Mor/Cod ratios > 1 in plasma or urine, unless the time of
drug intake is more than 24 h previous.
Reproduction
of editorial content of this journal is prohibited without publisher’s
permission.
This
article is available in its entirety by fax for $40.00 each.
Visa, MasterCard and AMEX accepted.
To
order electronically click here
or call: 847-647-2900 ext. 1323
or fax request to: 847-647-1155.
To order multiple copies click here.
Please indicate JAT
volume and issue along with page numbers. |
|
Home | Subscribe
| Current Issue | Back Issues
| Search | Advertise | Other Publications
| |
