Polymorphisms in the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor and cytochromeP4502D6 genes synergistically predict fluvoxamine-induced side effects in Japanese depressed patients

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors are thought to be associated with the gastrointestinal side effects induced by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. CytochromeP450 (CYP) 2D6 may also be associated with the side effects induced by fluvoxamine, since the plasma fluvoxamine concentration depends on a CYP2D6 gene polymorphism. This study investigated whether 5-HT receptor and CYP2D6 gene polymorphisms could predict the occurrence of the side effects. The effects of 5-HT receptor and CYP2D6 gene polymorphisms on the incidence of gastrointestinal side effects induced by fluvoxamine were investigated in 100 depressed outpatients who gave written consent to participate in the study. The patients visited every 2 weeks until the week 12 end point and the fluvoxamine dose was changed in response to their clinical symptoms. All side effects, including the gastrointestinal side effects, were assessed at each visit. Polymerase chain reaction was used to determine A-1438G of the 5-HT2A receptor, C195T and Pro16Ser of the 5-HT3A receptor, Tyr129Ser of the 5-HT3B receptor, and the * 5 and * 10 alleles of CYP2D6. Both the A-1438G polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene and the CYP2D6 gene polymorphism had significant effects on the incidence of gastrointestinal side effects. Cox regression was used to analyze the combination effect of the two polymorphisms on the gastrointestinal side effects. Cox regression analysis showed that lower metabolizers (LMs) of CYP2D6 with the G/G genotype of the 5-HT2A A-1438G polymorphism had a 4.242-fold ( P = 0.009) and LMs with the A/G genotype had a 4.147-fold ( P = 0.004) higher risk of developing gastrointestinal side effects than normal metabolizers with the A/A genotype. The 5-HT3A and 3B gene polymorphisms had no significant effects on the incidence of gastrointestinal side effects. 5-HT2A receptor and CYP2D6 gene polymorphisms had a synergistic effect for the prediction of fluvoxamine-induced gastrointestinal side effects.