Vortioxetine Disposition in Obesity: Potential Implications for Patient Safety.

Background: Obesity and depression are common comorbid conditions. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of obesity on the pharmacokinetics of the serotonergic antidepressant vortioxetine.

Methods: Vortioxetine pharmacokinetics were evaluated in 16 otherwise healthy obese volunteers (mean weight, 119 kg; mean body mass index (BMI) 41.8 kg/m) and in 14 normal-weight subjects (mean weight, 68 kg; mean BMI, 23.0 kg/m) matched for age. All subjects received a single 5-mg oral dose of vortioxetine once daily for 29 days. Pre-dose plasma vortioxetine concentrations were measured during the 29 days of dosing, and during a 4-week washout period after the last dose. Full 24-hour profiles were obtained after the first and last doses.

Results: Vortioxetine accumulated extensively over the 29 days; the accumulation ratio was not significantly different between obese and control groups (means: 5.24 and 4.46, respectively). Steady-state concentration (Css) and steady-state clearance also did not differ between groups. However mean washout half-life (T1/2) was significantly prolonged in obese vs. control subjects (3.26 days vs. 2.21 days, P < 0.01). Up to 89% of the individual variability in T1/2 was explained by the product of Css and numeric indicators of the degree of obesity.

Conclusions: The half-life of vortioxetine washout after discontinuation of therapy is significantly prolonged in obese individuals compared to normal weight controls. To avoid a potential risk of serotonin syndrome, obese patients who plan to change their medication from vortioxetine to a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) should extend the time between vortioxetine discontinuation and MAOI initiation beyond what is recommended in the product label.