Effect of quinidine on the interconversion kinetics between haloperidol and reduced haloperidol in humans: implications for the involvement of cytochrome P450IID6

Summary Haloperidol (HAL) is a potent butyrophenone antipsychotic agent which is reversibly metabolized to reduced haloperidol (RHAL). In order to determine if this reversible metabolic pathway is linked to the debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase isozyme of cytochrome P-450 (P450IID6), HAL (5 mg) or RHAL (5 mg) was orally administered to healthy male volunteers in a randomized crossover design both with and without a prior (1 h) oral dose of quinidine (250 mg bisulfate), a potent inhibitor of this isozyme. Thirteen volunteers, 11 extensive metabolizers, 2 poor metabolizers, completed all four phases of the study. Plasma samples harvested over seven days were analysed for HAL and RHAL. An expression for the apparent fractional availability of metabolite from the parent compound given (Fapp_infm^supp) was derived and was used to determine whether HAL or RHAL is the preferred metabolite, and whether quinidine co-administration alters Fapp for either compound.The AUC (0-t) for both HAL and RHAL were significantly greater following the administration of either compound with quinidine compared with AUC (0-t) values obtained in the absence of quinidine. The maximum plasma concentration (C_max) of the administered compound was also greater following the administration of quinidine. Quinidine had no effect on the half-lives of the administered compounds. The Fapp for HAL and RHAL were not significantly affected by the administration of quinidine, indicating that the interconversion of HAL and RHAL is not linked to P450IID6. The Fapp of RHAL after administration of HAL was significantly greater than the Fapp of HAL after RHAL administration, indicating that RHAL is the preferred metabolic form. This difference was not affected by quinidine.It is concluded that: 1) RHAL is the preferred form after administration of either compound and is not affected by quinidine, 2) the interconversion of HAL and RHAL is not affected by quinidine, indicating that this reversible metabolic process is not linked to P450IID6 and 3) there is a significant increase in the AUC (0-t) and C_max values following quinidine co-administration with either HAL or RHAL. The precise mechanism of this interaction can not be established from this study, however, the observed increases in AUC (0-t) and C_max may be explained with a simple tissue blinding displacement mechanism.