Effect of erythromycin on metabolism of quetiapine in Chinese suffering from schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective: To study the effect of erythromycin on metabolism of quetiapine in Chinese suffering from schizophrenia.

Methods: Nineteen patients received multiple doses of quetiapine (200 mg, twice daily) with or without co-administered erythromycin (500 mg, three times daily). Blood samples were collected at specified time intervals for determination of plasma concentrations of quetiapine and some of its metabolites.

Results: With erythromycin co-administration: for quetiapine, maximal plasma concentration (Cmax), area under concentration-time curve of 0-infinity h (AUC0-infinity) and terminal-phase elimination half-life time (t1/2) increased 68, 129 and 92%, respectively, and clearance (CL) and terminal elimination rate constant (Ke) decreased 52% and 55%, respectively; for quetiapine sulfoxide (QTP-SF), Cmax, AUC0-infinity and AUC ratio decreased 64, 23, and 70%, respectively, and t1/2 increased 211%; for 7-hydroxy-quetiapine (QTP-H), Ke and AUC ratio decreased 61% and 45%, respectively, and t1/2 increased 203%; for 7-hydroxy-N-desalkyl-quetiapine (QTP-ND), Cmax, AUC0-infinity and AUC ratio decreased 36, 40 and 71%, respectively.

Conclusion: Erythromycin has a noticeable effect on the metabolism of quetiapine. When quetiapine is co-administered with CYP3A inhibitors such as erythromycin, the dosing regimen should be modified according to quetiapine TDM.