The Relationship of UGT2B15 Pharmacogenetics and Lorazepam for Anxiety

Nathan R Ching; Amna K Alzghari; Saeed K Alzghari

doi:10.7759/cureus.3133

The Relationship of UGT2B15 Pharmacogenetics and Lorazepam for Anxiety

Cureus. 2018 Aug 13;10(8):e3133. doi: 10.7759/cureus.3133.

Authors

Nathan R Ching¹, Amna K Alzghari², Saeed K Alzghari³

Affiliations

¹ Chemistry, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, USA.
² Pharmacy, CVS Health, Fort Worth, USA.
³ Pharmacotherapy, University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, Fort Worth, USA.

Abstract

Anxiety affects over 260 million people worldwide. Benzodiazepines are a class of agents used in combination with other therapies for the management of anxiety. Lorazepam is a commonly prescribed benzodiazepine metabolized by uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferases. Herein, we discuss recent findings regarding the pharmacogenetics of uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 2B15 (UGT2B15), lorazepam, and its role in the treatment of anxiety.

Keywords: anxiety; lorazepam; pharmacogenetics; single nucleotide polymorphisms; ugt2b15.

Publication types

Editorial