Drug Metabolism

[Bajeda]

I think it would be good to have a place where information concerning the metabolism of various recreational substances could be collated. I'll start by listing some drugs and what is involved in their metabolism, and see what I can add at a later time.

An explanation of how drug metabolism works and what things are important to know would be good as well.


Alcohol

• Alcohol dehydrogenase
• CYP2E1
• Acute intake → Enzyme inhibition
• Chronic intake → Enzyme induction
• Chronic intake (cirrhosis) → Enzyme inhibition

Alprazolam

• Hydroxylation catalyzed by CYP3A

Amphetamine

• CYP2D6

Clonazepam

• CYP3A4

Cocaine

• Esterases
• CYP3A
• CYP2A

DMT (Dimethyltryptamine)

• Rapid first pass effect, otherwise unknown

DXM (Dextromethorphan)

• CYP2D6

GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate)

• First pass metabolism
• CYP2D6

Heroin

• Metabolised to 6-acetylmorphine by deacetylation and then to morphine.
• Follows morphine metabolic pathway thereafter.

Ketamine

• CYP2B6 (Main enzyme)
• CYP3A
• CYP2C9

LSD

• Unknown
• *Ergot alkaloids often inhibited by CYP3A4

MDMA

• CYP2D6

Methadone

• CYP3A4

Morphine

• Glucuronidation
• Forms metabolites: morphine-6-glucuronide and morphine-3-glucornide

Oxycodone

• Less than 15% is metabolised to oxymorphone by CYP2D6

PCP (Phencyclidine)

• CYP3A
• CYP2C11

THC (Tetrahyrdocannabinol)

• CYP3A4
• CYP2C
• CYP2D6

Tramadol

• CYP2D6

More to be added later.

Reputation Comments on this post:

This should be made sticky!

[Gradient]

I just stumbled upon this post from back-in-the-day, and I think it's a great idea! I'd be very generously appreciative to any members willing to update & expand this easily accessible compilation of drug metabolism; this would make potential drug interactions much easier to predict.

Some things that might be added:

• Enzyme inhibitors
• More opioid information
• More benzodiazepine information
• Phenethylamines & Tryptamines
• Other Cannabinoids
• Ethnobotanicals
• Any updates on already included compounds

References would be highly appreciated, though not essential.