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Beers JL, Zhou Z, Jackson KD. Advances and Challenges in Modeling Cannabidiol Pharmacokinetics and Hepatotoxicity. Drug Metab Dispos 2024; 52:508-515. [PMID: 38286636 PMCID: PMC11114601 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.123.001435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a pharmacologically active metabolite of cannabis that is US Food and Drug Administration approved to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex in children aged 1 year and older. During clinical trials, CBD caused dose-dependent hepatocellular toxicity at therapeutic doses. The risk for toxicity was increased in patients taking valproate, another hepatotoxic antiepileptic drug, through an unknown mechanism. With the growing popularity of CBD in the consumer market, an improved understanding of the safety risks associated with CBD is needed to ensure public health. This review details current efforts to describe CBD pharmacokinetics and mechanisms of hepatotoxicity using both pharmacokinetic models and in vitro models of the liver. In addition, current evidence and knowledge gaps related to intracellular mechanisms of CBD-induced hepatotoxicity are described. The authors propose future directions that combine systems-based models with markers of CBD-induced hepatotoxicity to understand how CBD pharmacokinetics may influence the adverse effect profile and risk of liver injury for those taking CBD. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This review describes current pharmacokinetic modeling approaches to capture the metabolic clearance and safety profile of cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is an increasingly popular natural product and US Food and Drug Administration-approved antiepileptic drug known to cause clinically significant enzyme-mediated drug interactions and hepatotoxicity at therapeutic doses. CBD metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and putative mechanisms of CBD-induced liver injury are summarized from available preclinical data to inform future modeling efforts for understanding CBD toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Beers
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (J.L.B., K.D.J.); and Department of Chemistry, York College, City University of New York, Jamaica, New York (Z.Z.)
| | - Zhu Zhou
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (J.L.B., K.D.J.); and Department of Chemistry, York College, City University of New York, Jamaica, New York (Z.Z.)
| | - Klarissa D Jackson
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (J.L.B., K.D.J.); and Department of Chemistry, York College, City University of New York, Jamaica, New York (Z.Z.)
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Kolli AR, Hoeng J. Cannabidiol Bioavailability Is Nonmonotonic with a Long Terminal Elimination Half-Life: A Pharmacokinetic Modeling-Based Analysis. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024. [PMID: 38624257 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Oral and inhalation-based cannabidiol (CBD) administration has been clinically evaluated for various therapeutic indications, alongside widespread off-label use. However, the long-term exposure kinetics and varied bioavailability have not been fully characterized. Methods: Human CBD plasma concentration-time profiles from six studies evaluating the oral administration of Epidiolex® and three studies evaluating inhalation-based delivery were obtained. A four-compartment pharmacokinetic (PK) model with Weibull-based oral absorption kinetics was employed to describe the long-term PKs of CBD. Furthermore, a Cedergreen-Ritz-Streibig model was applied to evaluate nonmonotonic oral bioavailability. Results: CBD was extensively distributed into tissue compartments with varied kinetics resulting in a long plasma terminal elimination half-life of >134 h in humans. For once-a-day oral dosing, the plasma trough concentrations require >70 days to reach a steady state. The oral bioavailability of CBD for different doses administered in fasted state follows a nonmonotonic pattern with an inverted U-shaped profile. Oral administration of CBD under fed state or subjects with hepatic impairment yields higher oral bioavailability with varied exposure. In contrast, inhalation-based delivery of CBD, while delivering a similar systemic delivered dose compared with oral dosing due to high device losses, bypasses first-pass metabolism and can be efficient. Conclusion: CBD PKs vary across different doses due to nonmonotonic oral bioavailability, and inhalation-based delivery could minimize such variability in humans. The delayed attainment of steady state and prolonged terminal half-life, resulting from differential but extensive tissue distribution, needs to be considered when dosing CBD in the long term. These fundamental findings are critical for establishing dose-exposure relationship for further clinical evaluation of novel CBD-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya R Kolli
- PMI R&D, Philip Morris Products S.A., Neuchâtel, Switzerland
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Qian L, Beers JL, Jackson KD, Zhou Z. CBD and THC in Special Populations: Pharmacokinetics and Drug-Drug Interactions. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:484. [PMID: 38675145 PMCID: PMC11054161 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16040484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoid use has surged in the past decade, with a growing interest in expanding cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) applications into special populations. Consequently, the increased use of CBD and THC raises the risk of drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Nevertheless, DDIs for cannabinoids, especially in special populations, remain inadequately investigated. While some clinical trials have explored DDIs between therapeutic drugs like antiepileptic drugs and CBD/THC, more potential interactions remain to be examined. This review summarizes the published studies on CBD and THC-drug interactions, outlines the mechanisms involved, discusses the physiological considerations in pharmacokinetics (PK) and DDI studies in special populations (including pregnant and lactating women, pediatrics, older adults, patients with hepatic or renal impairments, and others), and presents modeling approaches that can describe the DDIs associated with CBD and THC in special populations. The PK of CBD and THC in special populations remain poorly characterized, with limited studies investigating DDIs involving CBD/THC in these populations. Therefore, it is critical to evaluate potential DDIs between CBD/THC and medications that are commonly used in special populations. Modeling approaches can aid in understanding these interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixuan Qian
- Department of Chemistry, York College, City University of New York, Jamaica, NY 11451, USA;
| | - Jessica L. Beers
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA (K.D.J.)
| | - Klarissa D. Jackson
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA (K.D.J.)
| | - Zhu Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, York College, City University of New York, Jamaica, NY 11451, USA;
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Herdegen T, Cascorbi I. Drug Interactions of Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol in Cannabinoid Drugs. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 120:833-840. [PMID: 37874128 PMCID: PMC10824494 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2023.0223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabinoid drugs containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or its structural analogues, as monotherapeutic agents or as extracts or botanical preparations with or without cannabidiol (CBD) are often prescribed to multimorbid patients who are taking multiple drugs. This raises the question of the risk of drug interactions. METHODS This review of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of interactions with cannabinoid drugs and their potential effects is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective literature search. RESULTS As THC and CBD are largely metabolized in the liver, their bioavailability after oral or oral-mucosal administration is low (6-8% and 11-13%, respectively). The plasma concentrations of THC and its active metabolite 11-OH-THC can be increased by strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (verapamil, clarithromycin) and decreased by strong CYP3A4 inductors (rifampicin, carbamazepine). The clinical significance of these effects is unclear because of the variable plasma level and therapeutic spectrum of THC. The metabolism of CBD is less dependent on cytochrome P450 enzymes than that of THC. THC and CBD inhibit CYP2C and CYP3A4; the corresponding clinically relevant drug interactions probably are likely to arise only with THC doses above 30 mg/day and CBD doses above 300 mg/day. CONCLUSION Potential drug interactions with THC and CBD are probably of little importance at low or moderate doses. Strong CYP inhibitors or inductors can intensify or weaken their effect. Slowly ramping up the dose of oral cannabinoid drugs can lessen their pharmacodynamic interactions, which can generally be well controlled. Administration by inhalation can worsen the interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Herdegen
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ingolf Cascorbi
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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Yeung CHT, Bertrand KA, Best BM, Capparelli E, Chambers CD, Hajducek DM, Hamadeh A, Ito S, Momper JD, Edginton AN. Cannabidiol Exposure Through Maternal Marijuana Use: Predictions in Breastfed Infants. Clin Pharmacokinet 2023; 62:1611-1619. [PMID: 37735347 PMCID: PMC10659070 DOI: 10.1007/s40262-023-01307-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Knowledge about exposure to cannabidiol (CBD) in breastfed infants can provide an improved understanding of potential risk. The aim was to predict CBD exposure in breastfed infants from mothers taking CBD and CBD-containing products. METHODS Cannabidiol concentrations in milk previously attained from data collected through an existing human milk research biorepository were used to simulate infant doses and identify subgroups. A developed pediatric physiologically based pharmacokinetic model produced virtual breastfed infants administered the simulated CBD doses. Predicted breastfed infant exposures and upper area under the curve ratios were compared to the lowest therapeutic dose for approved indications in children. RESULTS The existing human milk research biorepository contained 200 samples from 181 unique breastfeeding mothers for whom self-reported administration data and CBD concentrations had previously been measured. Samples that were above the lower limit of quantification with only one maternal administration type revealed that administration type, i.e., joint/blunt or edible versus oil or pipe, resulted in significantly different subgroups in terms of milk concentrations. Resulting simulated infant doses (ng/kg) were described by lognormal distributions with geometric means and geometric standard deviations: 0.61 ± 2.41 all concentrations, 0.10 ± 0.37 joint/blunt or edible, and 2.23 ± 8.15 oil or pipe. Doses administered to breastfed infants had exposures magnitudes lower than exposures in children aged 4-11 years administered the lowest therapeutic dose for approved indications, and low upper area under the curve ratios. CONCLUSIONS Based on real-world use, breastfeeding infants are predicted to receive very small exposures of CBD through milk. Studies examining adverse reactions will provide further insight into potential risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy H T Yeung
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kerri A Bertrand
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Brookie M Best
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Edmund Capparelli
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Christina D Chambers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Division of Epidemiology, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Dagmar M Hajducek
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 10 Victoria St S A, Kitchener, ON, N2G 1C5, Canada
| | - Abdullah Hamadeh
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 10 Victoria St S A, Kitchener, ON, N2G 1C5, Canada
| | - Shinya Ito
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jeremiah D Momper
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Andrea N Edginton
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 10 Victoria St S A, Kitchener, ON, N2G 1C5, Canada.
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