Effects of genetic polymorphisms of CYP2C19 on the pharmacokinetics of zolpidem.

Zolpidem is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia and it is predominantly metabolized by CYP3A4, and to a lesser extent by CYP2C19, CYP1A2, and CYP2C9. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of CYP2C19 genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of zolpidem in healthy male subjects. Thirty-two male subjects were recruited and all subjects were classified into three groups according to their genotypes: CYP2C19EM (CYP2C19*1/*1, n = 12), CYP2C19IM (CYP2C19*1/*2 or *1/*3, n = 10), and CYP2C19PM (CYP2C19*2/*2, *2/*3 or *3/*3, n = 10). The pharmacokinetic parameters of zolpidem were compared in three CYP2C19 genotype groups after zolpidem administration with or without a CYP3A4 inhibitor at steady-state concentration. Plasma concentrations of zolpidem were determined up to 12 h after drug administration by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) differed, but mean total area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUCinf), half-life (t1/2), and apparent oral clearance (CL/F) of zolpidem administered alone did not significantly differ among the three different CYP2C19 genotype groups. Furthermore, when zolpidem was administered with a CYP3A4 inhibitor at steady-state concentration, there were no significant differences in any of the pharmacokinetic parameters of zolpidem in relation to CYP2C19 genotypes. In conclusion, we did not find any evidence for the impact of CYP2C19 genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetic parameters of zolpidem.