LACK OF EFFECT OF OMEPRAZOLE TREATMENT ON STEADY-STATE PLASMA-LEVELS OF METOPROLOL

In a randomised double-blind crossover study, seven healthy males were concomitantly given metoprolol 100 mg o.d. as a controlled release formulation, and omeprazole 40 mg o.d. or placebo, for 8 days. Plasma levels of the R- and S-enantiomers of metoprolol were determined on the 8th day of each treatment. The subjects were also characterised by their metabolic capacity to hydroxylate debrisoquine. Concomitant omeprazole treatment had no significant influence on the steady-state plasma levels of the two enantiomers of metoprolol. All subjects were characterised by extensive debrisoquine hydroxylation, i.e. extensive metoprolol metabolism. As metoprolol is metabolised to a great extent by debrisoquine hydroxylase (IID6), it is concluded that concomitant omeprazole treatment will probably have a negligible influence on the metabolism of the relatively large number of drugs mainly metabolised by this isoenzyme of the cytochrome P450 family.