Skip to main content

Study Looks at Co-Use of CYP2D6-Metabolizing Opioids, Antidepressants in Seniors

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on July 23, 2024.

via HealthDay

MONDAY, July 22, 2024 -- For older nursing home (NH) residents, use of CYP2D6-metabolized opioids concomitantly with CYP2D6-inhibiting antidepressants is associated with worsening pain and increased risk of opioid-related adverse events (ORAEs), according to a study published online July 23 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Yu-Jung Jenny Wei, Ph.D., from the College of Pharmacy at The Ohio State University in Columbus, and colleagues examined the associations of concomitant use of CYP2D6-metabolized opioids and antidepressants with clinical outcomes and ORAEs in a retrospective cohort study using a target trial emulation framework. Data were included for 29,435 long-term residents aged 65 years and older receiving CYP2D6-metabolized opioids with a disease indication for antidepressant use who initiated CYP2D6-inhibiting versus CYP2D6-neutral antidepressants.

The researchers found that use of CYP2D6-metabolized opioids concomitantly with CYP2D6-inhibiting antidepressants was associated with increased adjusted rate ratio of worsening pain compared with CYP2D6-neutral antidepressants (1.13). In addition, CYP2D6-inhibiting antidepressants were associated with higher adjusted incidence rate ratios of pain-related hospitalization, pain-related emergency department visits, and opioid use disorder (1.37, 1.49, and 1.93, respectively); no differences were seen in physical function, depression, and opioid overdose.

"When co-use of CYP2D6-metabolizing opioids and antidepressants is clinically needed, selecting CYP2D6-neutral antidepressants, rather than CYP2D6-inhibiting antidepressants, may provide better or equal clinical and adverse outcomes," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Loneliness Is Predictor of Depression, Poor Health Outcomes

THURSDAY, July 10, 2025 -- Loneliness is a predictor of depression and poor health outcomes, according to a study published online July 9 in PLOS ONE. Oluwasegun Akinyemi, M.D...

Preschool Depression Intervention Has Long-Term Beneficial Effects

THURSDAY, July 10, 2025 -- Completion of a Parent–Child Interaction Therapy-Emotion Development (PCIT-ED) intervention for preschool depression has long-term effects and is...

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Tied to Poor Outcomes in U.S. Soldiers

WEDNESDAY, July 9, 2025 -- Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) contribute to mental health challenges, traumatic injuries, and increased health care utilization...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.