Effects of clarithromycin on lansoprazole pharmacokinetics between CYP2C19 genotypes

Lansoprazole is a substrate of CYP2C19 and CYP3A. The aim of this study was to compare the inhibitory effects of clarithromycin, an inhibitor of CYP3A on the metabolism of lansoprazole between CYP2C19 genotypes.

A two-way randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study was performed. Eighteen volunteers, of whom six were homozygous extensive metabolizers (EMs), six were heterozygous EMs and six were poor metabolizers (PMs) for CYP2C19, received two 6-day courses of either clarithromycin 800 mg or placebo daily in a randomized fashion with a single oral dose of lansoprazole 60 mg on day 6 in all cases. Plasma concentrations of lansoprazole and its metabolites, 5-hydroxylansoprazole and lansoprazole sulphone were monitored up to 24 h after dosing.

During placebo administration, the mean AUC0, infinity of lansoprazole in homozygous EMs, heterozygous EMs and PMs were 4652 (95% CI, 2294, 7009) ng ml(-1) h, 8299 (4784, 11814) ng ml(-1) h and 25293 (17643, 32943) ng ml(-1) h (P < 0.001), respectively. Clarithromycin treatment significantly increased Cmax by 1.47-fold, 1.71-fold and 1.52-fold and AUC0, infinity of lansoprazole by 1.55-fold, 1.74-fold, and 1.80-fold in these genotype groups, respectively, whereas elimination half-life was prolonged only in PMs. The clarithromycin-mediated percent increase in pharmacokinetic parameters such as Cmax, AUC0, infinity or elimination half-life did not differ between the three CYP2C19 genotypes.

The present study indicates that there are significant drug interactions between lansoprazole and clarithromycin in all CYP2C19 genotype groups probably through CYP3A inhibition. The bioavailability of lansoprazole might, to some extent, be increased through inhibition of P-glycoprotein during clarithromycin treatment.