• N&PD Moderators: Skorpio | thegreenhand

  • Neuroscience & Pharmacology Discussion Welcome Guest
    Posting Rules Bluelight Rules
    Recent Journal Articles Chemistry Mega-Thread
    FREE Chemistry Databases! Self-Education Guide

Inhibition of ketamine conversion to norketamine.

Incunabula

Incunabula

Bluelighter
Joined
Dec 10, 2010
Messages
1,862
According to wikipedia the "Plasma concentrations of ketamine are increased by diazepam and other CYP3A4 inhibitors due to inhibition of conversion to norketamine."

Some CYP3A4 Inhibitors are:
orphenadrine
gabapentin
pregabalin
ginkgo biloba
Valerian

I know it's not a good idea to mix downers with ketamine, but how should a CYP3A4 Inhibitor theoretically effect a ketamine trip? Isn't norketamine what is responsible for the "hangover" part of ketamine?
 
It should in theory increase the concentration of ketamine and decrease the amount of norketamine. CYP3A4 is not the only isoenzyme involved in ketamine metabolism, however. CYP2B6 seems to play a rather large role but it seems the concentration of ketamine is what determines which enzyme plays the predominant role. At lower concentrations, more in line with therapeutic doses, CYP2B6 seems to play a bigger role. But as you increase the dose and reach levels you find when ketamine is abused, CYP3A4 seems to take over. But both surely play a role at either concentrations and without being able to measure your blood levels, hard to say which one would be a better target to inhibit for getting more out of your experience.
 
By therapeutic doses do you mean antidepressant doses, or anaesthetic induction doses? The latter requires dosages beyond the recreational spectrum.
 
Thanks for the answers. Yes, maybe ginko biloba is worth trying in combination with ketamine. It's just that it's strength as an inhibitor apparently isn't well known. It's worth a go, and see if it changes anything, I guess :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top