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Abstract
The tissue distribution of procainamide (PA), n-acetylprocainamide (NAPA), and quinidine (QUIN) was investigated following percutaneous absorption as their salts in the hairless mouse as a model for human skin. After topical application of 2 mg of each compound, drug was analyzed in blood, brain, heart, liver, and lung. Both PA and QUIN were detected in at least some tissues within 1 hr. However, measurable concentrations of NAPA were not detected in any tissue until 3 hr had elapsed. The tissue distribution of each agent was evaluated for 6 hr. Hepatic concentrations were consistently the highest for all three compounds, and cardiac concentrations were relatively stable. Neither PA nor NAPA could be detected in brain at any time during the study, while QUIN was found in brain in relatively high concentrations at all hours. Percutaneous absorption of antiarrhythmic agents may provide a potentially useful and reliable route for continuous, slow administration of these drugs.