Metabolic disposition of enciprazine, a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug, in rat, dog and man

Abstract

1. The excretion and metabolism of enciprazine, an anxiolytic drug, was examined in rat, dog and man.

2. In rats and dogs that received ¹⁴C-enciprazine dihydrochloride orally and by i.v. injection, the drug was well absorbed. Radioactivity was excreted predominantly in the faeces of rats, equally in urine and faeces of dogs, and to a major extent in human urine.

3. Metabolic profiles, which were evaluated in urine and in rat bile, were similar following oral and i.v. dosing to rats and dogs.

4. Unchanged drug was not detected in rat, dog or human excreta. Glucuronide conjugates of 4-hydroxyenciprazine, m-desmethylenciprazine, p-desmethylenciprazine and enciprazine were detected in the excreta of all three species. A glycol metabolite was present only in rat bile and human urine. A metabolite desmethylated in the phenyl ring of the phenylpiperazine moiety also appeared to be present only in human urine.

5. Structural confirmation of the major metabolites in human urine and rat bile was accomplished by h.p.l.c.-mass spectrometry.