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Trimipramine Pathway, Pharmacokinetics

PA166245161 Last updated May 2021 Rachel Huddart
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Conditions
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Reactions
Trimipramine Pathway, Pharmacokinetics pathway diagram
Trimipramine Pathway, Pharmacokinetics — pathway diagram from PharmGKB / ClinPGx
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About this pathway

Background

Trimipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) used in the treatment of depression. TCAs are mixed serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors which can be classified by their chemical structure into tertiary amines and secondary amines. Trimipramine is a tertiary amine. Tertiary amines have a greater serotonergic effect in the body, while secondary amines have a greater noradrenergic effect [Article:17471183].

Metabolism

Trimipramine is metabolized in the liver to the secondary amine desmethyltrimipramine, which is also pharmacologically active. This metabolism is predominantly carried by CYP2C19 [Articles:2778096, 6527248, 10774635], with CYP2C9 playing a minor role [Article:14520122].

Both trimipramine and desmethyltrimipramine are hydroxylated by CYP2D6 to form 2-hydroxytrimipramine and 2-hydroxydesmethyltrimipramine, respectively [Articles:14646691, 14520122, 10774635, 6527248, 1454163, 8204992]. This hydroxylation step inactivates trimipramine and desmethyltrimipramine.

Metabolism of trimipramine has been found to be affected by different CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 phenotypes [Articles:14646691, 14520122]. Pharmacogenetic dosing recommendations for CYP2D6, CYP2C19 and trimipramine can be found as part of the CPIC guideline for tricyclic antidepressants [Article:27997040].

Reactions & interactions (7)

  • Biochemical Reaction
    trimipramine desmethyltrimipramine
  • Biochemical Reaction
    desmethyltrimipramine 2-hydroxydesmethyltrimipramine
  • Biochemical Reaction
    trimipramine 2-hydroxytrimipramine
  • Catalysis
    CYP2C19 Biochemical Reaction
  • Catalysis
    CYP2C9 Biochemical Reaction
  • Catalysis
    CYP2D6 Biochemical Reaction
  • Catalysis
    CYP2D6 Biochemical Reaction

Edit history (1)

  • 2021-05-27 Create
Trimipramine Pathway, Pharmacokinetics pathway diagram (enlarged)