Published online Jan 30, 2019. doi: 10.5497/wjp.v8.i2.14
Peer-review started: November 14, 2018
First decision: December 18, 2018
Revised: January 20, 2019
Accepted: January 28, 2019
Article in press: January 28, 2019
Published online: January 30, 2019
Processing time: 78 Days and 21.3 Hours
Tobacco smoking is a global public health threat causing several illnesses including cardiovascular disease (Myocardial infarction), cerebrovascular disease (Stroke), peripheral vascular disease (Claudication), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, reduced female infertility, sexual dysfunction in men, different types of cancer and many other diseases. It has been estimated in 2015 that approximately 1.3 billion people smoke, around the globe. Use of medications among smokers is more common, nowadays. This review is aimed to identify the medications affected by smoking, involving Cytochrome P450 (CYP) and uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) enzymes and Nicotine. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of tobacco smoke have been associated with the induction of CYP enzymes such as CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and possibly CYP2E1 and UGT enzymes. The drugs metabolized by CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2E1 and UGT enzymes might be affected by tobacco smoking and the smokers taking medications metabolized by those enzymes, may need higher doses due to decreased plasma concentrations through enhanced induction by PAHs of tobacco smoke. The prescribers and the pharmacists are required to be aware of medications affected by tobacco smoking to prevent the toxicity-associated complications during smoking cessation.
Core tip: Use of medications among smokers is more common, nowadays. This review is aimed to identify the medications affected by smoking, involving cytochrome P450 (CYP) and uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) enzymes and Nicotine. The drugs metabolized by CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2E1 and UGT enzymes might be affected by tobacco smoking and the smokers taking medications metabolized by those enzymes, may need higher doses due to decreased plasma concentrations through accelerated metabolism by Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of tobacco smoke. The prescribers and the pharmacists are required to be aware of medications affected by tobacco smoking to prevent the toxicity-associated complications during smoking cessation.