CYP2C9 Genotype-Dependent Warfarin Pharmacokinetics: Impact of CYP2C9 Genotype on R- and S-Warfarin and Their Oxidative Metabolites

J Clin Pharmacol. 2017 Mar;57(3):382-393. doi: 10.1002/jcph.813. Epub 2016 Sep 22.

Abstract

Multiple factors can impact warfarin therapy, including genetic variations in the drug-metabolizing enzyme cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9). Compared with individuals with the wild-type allele, CYP2C9*1, carriers of the common *3 variant have significantly impaired CYP2C9 metabolism. Genetic variations in CYP2C9, the primary enzyme governing the metabolic clearance of the more potent S-enantiomer of the racemic anticoagulant warfarin, may impact warfarin-drug interactions. To establish a baseline for such studies, plasma and urine concentrations of R- and S-warfarin and 10 warfarin metabolites were monitored for up to 360 hours following a 10-mg warfarin dose in healthy subjects with 4 different CYP2C9 genotypes: CYP2C9*1/*1 (n = 8), CYP2C9*1/*3 (n = 9), CYP2C9*2/*3 (n = 3), and CYP2C9*3/*3 (n = 4). Plasma clearance of S-warfarin, but not R-warfarin, decreased multiexponentially and in a CYP2C9 gene-dependent manner: 56%, 70%, and 75% for CYP2C9*1/*3, CYP2C9*2/*3, and CYP2C9*3/*3 genotypes, respectively, compared with CYP2C9*1/*1, resulting in pronounced differences in the S:R ratio that identified warfarin-sensitive genotypes. CYP2C9 was the primary P450 enzyme contributing to S-warfarin metabolism and a minor contributor to R-warfarin metabolism. In the presence of a defective CYP2C9 allele, switching of warfarin metabolism to other oxidative pathways and P450 enzymes for the metabolic elimination of S-warfarin was not observed. The 10-hydroxywarfarin metabolites, whose detailed pharmacokinetics are reported for the first time, exhibited a prolonged half-life with no evidence of renal excretion and displayed elimination rate-limited kinetics. Understanding the impact of CYP2C9 genetics on warfarin pharmacokinetics lays the foundation for future genotype-dependent warfarin-drug interaction studies.

Keywords: CYP2C9; pharmacogenetics; pharmacokinetics; warfarin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anticoagulants / blood
  • Anticoagulants / chemistry*
  • Anticoagulants / pharmacokinetics*
  • Anticoagulants / urine
  • Area Under Curve
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Half-Life
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metabolic Clearance Rate
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Warfarin / blood
  • Warfarin / chemistry*
  • Warfarin / pharmacokinetics*
  • Warfarin / urine
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Warfarin
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9