Novel associations between CYP2B6 polymorphisms, perioperative methadone metabolism and clinical outcomes in children

AIM: Methadone exhibits significant variability in clinical response. This study explores the genetic influence of variable methadone pharmacokinetics. METHODS: This is a prospective study of methadone in children undergoing major surgery. CYP2B6 genotyping, plasma methadone and metabolite levels were obtained. Clinical outcomes include pain scores and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). RESULTS: CYP2B6 poor metabolizers (*6/*6) had >twofold lower methadone metabolism compared with normal/rapid metabolizers. The incidence of PONV was 4.7× greater with CYP2B6 rs1038376 variant. AG/GG variants of rs2279343 SNP had 2.86-fold higher incidence of PONV compared with the wild variant (AA). Nominal associations between rs10500282, rs11882424, rs4803419 and pain scores were observed. CONCLUSION: We have described novel associations between CYP2B6 genetic variants and perioperative methadone metabolism, and associations with pain scores and PONV.