The Metabolism by Man of an Anticonvulsant Oxadiazole. An unusual Metabolic Route for Tertiary Amides

Abstract

1. The metabolism of the anticonvulsant oxadiazole, Ro 03-4066, was investigated in three human volunteers. Following oral administration 34% of the dose was excreted in urine in six hours.

2. The two major urinary metabolites were isolated and identified as derivatives. Their structures indicated that the initial step in the metabolism was hydroxylation of the N-methyl group.

3. Some of the N-hydroxymethyl metabolite was conjugated and eliminated in urine and some lost formaldehyde to form the corresponding secondary amide which was further hydroxylated and conjugated before excretion.