Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Influence of ethanol on cannabinoid pharmacokinetic parameters in chronic users

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry volume 400, pages 145–152 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Cannabis is not only the most widely used illicit drug worldwide but is also regularly consumed along with ethanol. In previous studies, it was assumed that cannabis users develop cross-tolerance to ethanol effects. The present study was designed to compare the effects of ethanol in comparison to and in combination with a cannabis joint and investigate changes in pharmacokinetics. In this study, 19 heavy cannabis users participated and received three alcohol dosing conditions that were calculated to achieve steady blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of about 0, 0.5 and 0.7 g/l during a 5-h time window. Subjects smoked a Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cigarette (400 μg/kg) 3 h post-onset of alcohol dosing. Blood samples were taken between 0 and 4 h after smoking. During the first hour, samples were collected every 15 min and every 30 min thereafter. Mean steady-state BACs reached 0, 0.36 and 0.5 g/l. The apparent elimination half-life of THC was slightly prolonged (1.59 vs. 1.93 h, p < 0.05) and the concentration 1 h after smoking was slightly lower (24 vs. 17 ng/ml, p < 0.05) with the higher ethanol dose. The prolonged THC elimination might be explained by a small ethanol-mediated change in distribution to and from deep compartments. Concentrations and pharmacokinetics of 11-hydroxy-THC and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCA) were not significantly influenced by ethanol. However, THCA concentrations appeared lower in both ethanol conditions, which might also be attributable to changes in distribution. Though not significant in the present study, this might be relevant in the interpretation of cannabinoid concentrations in blood.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1

References

  1. EMCDDA Annual Report 2009: the state of the drugs problem in Europe (2009) European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon, Portugal. http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/situation/cannabis/3, accessed 24 Sep 2010

  2. Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, RTI International (2009) Concurrent illicit drug and alcohol use. The NSDUH Report March 19, 2009

  3. Koehm M, Kauert GF, Toennes SW (2010) Influence of ethanol on the pharmacokinetics of methylphenidate’s metabolites ritalinic acid and ethylphenidate. Arzneimittelforschung 60:238–244

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Perez-Reyes M (1994) The order of drug administration: its effects on the interaction between cocaine and ethanol. Life Sci 55:541–550

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Bourland JA, Martin DK, Mayersohn M (1997) Carboxylesterase-mediated transesterification of meperidine (demerol) and methylphenidate (ritalin) in the presence of [2H6]ethanol: preliminary in vitro findings using a rat liver preparation. J Pharm Sci 86:1494–1496

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Dean RA, Christian CD, Sample RH, Bosron WF (1991) Human liver cocaine esterases: ethanol-mediated formation of ethylcocaine. FASEB J 5:2735–2739

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Linnoila M, Mattila MJ, Kitchell BS (1979) Drug interactions with alcohol. Drugs 18:299–311

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Lane EA, Guthrie S, Linnoila M (1985) Effects of ethanol on drug and metabolite pharmacokinetics. Clin Pharmacokinet 10:228–247

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Perez-Reyes M, Hicks RE, Bumberry J, Jeffcoat AR, Cook CE (1988) Interaction between marihuana and ethanol: effects on psychomotor performance. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 12:268–276

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Lukas SE, Orozco S (2001) Ethanol increases plasma delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels and subjective effects after marihuana smoking in human volunteers. Drug Alcohol Depend 64:143–149

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Lukas SE, Benedikt R, Mendelson JH, Kouri E, Sholar M, Amass L (1992) Marihuana attenuates the rise in plasma ethanol levels in human subjects. Neuropsychopharmacology 7:77–81

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Benowitz NL, Jones RT (1977) Effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on drug distribution and metabolism. Antipyrine, pentobarbital, and ethanol. Clin Pharmacol Ther 22:259–268

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Ramaekers JG, Theunissen EL, Brouwer M de, Toennes SW, Moeller MR, Kauert G (2010) Tolerance and cross-tolerance to neurocognitive effects of THC and alcohol in heavy cannabis users. Psychopharmacology (Berl) (in press)

  14. Ramaekers JG, Kauert G, van Ruitenbeek P, Theunissen EL, Schneider E, Moeller MR (2006) High-potency marijuana impairs executive function and inhibitory motor control. Neuropsychopharmacology 31:2296–2303

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Toennes SW, Ramaekers JG, Theunissen EL, Moeller MR, Kauert GF (2008) Comparison of cannabinoid pharmacokinetic properties in occasional and heavy users smoking a marijuana or placebo joint. J Anal Toxicol 32:470–477

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Kauert GF, Ramaekers JG, Schneider E, Moeller MR, Toennes SW (2007) Pharmacokinetic properties of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in serum and oral fluid. J Anal Toxicol 31:288–293

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Grotenhermen F (2003) Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. Clin Pharmacokinet 42:327–360

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Mendelson J, Jones RT, Upton R, Jacob P (1995) Methamphetamine and ethanol interactions in humans. Clin Pharmacol Ther 57:559–568

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Karschner EL, Schwilke EW, Lowe RH, Darwin WD, Herning RI, Cadet JL, Huestis MA (2009) Implications of plasma delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, 11-hydroxy-THC, and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC concentrations in chronic cannabis smokers. J Anal Toxicol 33:469–477

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Glaz-Sandberg A, Dietz L, Nguyen H, Oberwittler H, Aderjan R, Mikus G (2007) Pharmacokinetics of 11-nor-9-carboxy-delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (CTHC) after intravenous administration of CTHC in healthy human subjects. Clin Pharmacol Ther 82:63–69

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Musshoff F, Madea B (2006) Review of biologic matrices (urine, blood, hair) as indicators of recent or ongoing cannabis use. Ther Drug Monit 28:155–163

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant from the German Society “Bund gegen Alkohol und Drogen im Straßenverkehr e.V.”.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Legal Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Department, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Stefan W. Toennes, Kirsten Schneider, Gerold F. Kauert & Cora Wunder

  2. Saarland University, 66421, Homburg, Saar, Germany

    Manfred R. Moeller

  3. Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology & Neuroscience, Universiteit Maastricht, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Eef L. Theunissen & Johannes G. Ramaekers

Authors
  1. Stefan W. Toennes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kirsten Schneider
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gerold F. Kauert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Cora Wunder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Manfred R. Moeller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Eef L. Theunissen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Johannes G. Ramaekers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stefan W. Toennes.

Additional information

Published in the special issue Forensic Toxicology with Guest Editors Frank T. Peters, Hans H. Maurer, and Frank Musshoff.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Toennes, S.W., Schneider, K., Kauert, G.F. et al. Influence of ethanol on cannabinoid pharmacokinetic parameters in chronic users. Anal Bioanal Chem 400, 145–152 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-010-4449-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-010-4449-2

Keywords

search

Navigation