The effect of a long term epidural infusion of ropivacaine on CYP2D6 activity

Ropivacaine and one of its metabolites, pipecoloxylidide, inhibit CYP2D6 in. human liver microsomes in vitro with K(i) values of 5 microM (1.4 mg/L) and 13 microM (3.6 mg/L), respectively. We investigated the effect of a 50 h continuous epidural infusion of ropivacaine 2 mg/mL at a rate of 14 mL/h on CYP2D6 activity.

Nineteen patients (41-85 yr) undergoing hip or knee replacement, all extensive metabolizers with respect to CYP2D6 activity, were included. Medications known to inhibit or be metabolized by CYP2D6, or known to be strong inhibitors/inducers of CYP1A2 or CYP3A4 were not allowed. Patients received 10 mg debrisoquine (a marker for CYP2D6 activity) before surgery and after 40 h epidural infusion. The metabolic ratio (MR) for debrisoquine hydroxylation was calculated as the amount of debrisoquine/amount of 4-OH-debrisoquine excreted in 0-10 h urine.

The median (range) of MR before and after ropivacaine were 0.54 (0.1-3.4) and 1.79 (0.3-6.7), respectively. The Hodges Lehman estimate of the ratio MR after/MR before ropivacaine was 2.2 with a 95% confidence interval 1.9-2.7 (P < 0.001).

A continuous epidural infusion of ropivacaine inhibits CYP2D6 activity in patients who are extensive metabolizers resulting in a twofold increase in the MR for debrisoquine hydroxylation. However, since none of the patients was converted into a functional poor metabolizer (MR >12.6), the effect on the metabolism of other drugs metabolized by CYP2D6 is unlikely to be of major clinical importance.