Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Cytochrome P450: Influence on the Pharmacokinetics of Naproxen (CYP2C8 and CYP2C9) and Associated Naproxen-esomeprazole (CYP2C19)

The family of cytochrome P450 (CYP) is the most important drug metabolizing enzymes which contributes to the metabolism of a large proportion of drugs in humans. Some CYP450 enzymes reduce or alter the pharmacodynamic activity of many drugs and are involved in oxidative metabolism and elimination of many drugs commonly used by the population. Polymorphisms in CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 are common in different populations around the world and genetic variations in these alleles can cause decreased enzyme activity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, lornoxicam, meloxicam, valdecoxib, piroxicam, tenoxicam and naproxen. This compromise the bioavailability of the drug can alter the pharmacokinetics of these drugs and patients with mutations in these genes can exhibit increased plasma concentrations of values and areas under the curve (AUC), in addition to decreased clearance of drugs. Associations between NSAIDs and gastric protectors or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have become common nowadays, especially in patients who make chronic use of these drugs. Naproxen associated to esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), was launched in the market recently and its application in acute pain is not yet elucidated. Esomeprazole suffers strong influence of CYP2C19 (hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme that degrades PPIs). In patients with high enzyme activity of the CYP2C19, the drug can suffer high enzymatic degradation, and its diminished effect. Moreover, in patients with low enzyme CYP2C19 activity, the effect of acid inhibition by PPIs can be very strong.