Abstract
1. Human cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes expressed in a human cell line were used to elucidate their involvement in the metabolism of haloperidol (HAL). 2. It was found that CYP3A4 catalyzes the metabolism of HAL to HAL 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (HTP). HTP is further metabolized to HAL pyridinium (HP+) by both CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. 3. CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 are also responsible for the N-dealkylation of HAL. The N-dealkylation of reduced HAL (RH) was observed, which is catalyzed by CYP3A4. In addition, CYP3A4 also catalyzes the oxidation of RH back to HAL. 4. These results are discussed in terms of the metabolic interactions of HAL with other drugs and how this knowledge may be used to reduce the movement disorders induced by HAL.