Multiple cytochrome P-450s involved in the metabolism of terbinafine suggest a limited potential for drug-drug interactions.

Article Details

Citation

Vickers AE, Sinclair JR, Zollinger M, Heitz F, Glanzel U, Johanson L, Fischer V

Multiple cytochrome P-450s involved in the metabolism of terbinafine suggest a limited potential for drug-drug interactions.

Drug Metab Dispos. 1999 Sep;27(9):1029-38.

PubMed ID
10460803 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

Biotransformation pathways and the potential for drug-drug interactions of the orally active antifungal terbinafine were characterized using human liver microsomes and recombinant human cytochrome P-450s (CYPs). The terbinafine metabolites represented four major pathways: 1) N-demethylation, 2) deamination, 3) alkyl side chain oxidation, and 4) dihydrodiol formation. Michaelis-Menten kinetics for the pathways revealed mean K(m) values ranging from 4.4 to 27.8 microM, and V(max) values of 9.8 to 82 nmol/h/mg protein. At least seven CYP enzymes are involved in terbinafine metabolism. Recombinant human CYPs predict that CYP2C9, CYP1A2, and CYP3A4 are the most important for total metabolism. N-demethylation is primarily mediated by CYP2C9, CYP2C8, and CYP1A2; dihydrodiol formation by CYP2C9 and CYP1A2; deamination by CYP3A4; and side chain oxidation equally by CYP1A2, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19. Additionally, characteristic CYP substrates inhibited pathways of terbinafine metabolite formation, confirming the involvement of multiple enzymes. The deamination pathway was mainly inhibited by CYP3A inhibitors, including troleandomycin and azole antifungals. Dihydrodiol formation was inhibited by the CYP1A2 inhibitor furafylline. Terbinafine had little or no effect on the metabolism of many characteristic CYP substrates. Terbinafine, however, is a competitive inhibitor of the CYP2D6 reaction, dextromethorphan O-demethylation (K(i) = 0.03 microM). In summary, terbinafine is metabolized by at least seven CYPs. The potential for terbinafine interaction with other drugs is predicted to be insignificant with the exception that it may inhibit the metabolism of CYP2D6 substrates. Clinical trials are needed to assess the relevance of these findings.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drugs
Drug Enzymes
DrugEnzymeKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
TerbinafineCytochrome P450 1A2ProteinHumans
Unknown
Substrate
Details
TerbinafineCytochrome P450 2C19ProteinHumans
Unknown
Substrate
Details
TerbinafineCytochrome P450 2C8ProteinHumans
Unknown
Substrate
Details
TerbinafineCytochrome P450 2C9ProteinHumans
Unknown
Substrate
Details
TerbinafineCytochrome P450 3A4ProteinHumans
Unknown
Substrate
Inducer
Details
Drug Reactions
Reaction
Details
Details
Details
Details
Details
Drug Interactions
DrugsInteraction