Drug metabolizing capacity in Jamaican cigarette and marijuana smokers and non-smokers

Antipyrine elimination has been studied in 31 black Jamaican men, 10 non-smokers, 7 cigarette smokers, 5 marijuana smokers and 9 smokers of both marijuana and cigarettes. Use of both marijuana and tobacco was associated with shorter antipyrine half-lives and faster clearance, inferring faster metabolism. The order of magnitude was similar, and use of both drugs had an additive effect. Half-lives of those subjects who smoked marijuana and cigarettes were half as long as in non-smokers. These results may have important implications for other oxidised drugs, and smoking habits should be considered when choosing dose regimes for such drugs (AU)