Comparison of salicylamide and acetaminophen and their prodrug disposition in dogs

Abstract

Comparative studies on the disposition of two pairs of drugs and their prodrugs, i.e., (1) salicylamide (SAM) and ethenzamide (ETB), (2) acetaminophen (NAPA) and phenacetin (PHT), were performed in dogs following intravenous and oral administration of the drugs. ETB and PHT were largely metabolized to SAM and NAPA, respectively, and SAM and NAPA thus formed or those directly administered were conjugated with sulfuric acid and glucuronic acid. It was found that the prodrugs, ETB and PHT, were more susceptible to first-pass metabolism than the corresponding parent drugs, SAM and NAPA, respectively at 30 mg/kg dose of each drug. Free NAPA levels in the blood of dogs receiving PHT were found to be considerably high, whereas free SAM levels in the blood of dogs receiving ETB were very low. These are consistent with results in humans which have been reported earlier, suggesting the similarity between dogs and humans. © 1988, The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan. All rights reserved.