The metabolism of sulphonamides

Abstract

In the rabbit p-aminomethyl-benzenesulphonamide HCL (ambamide) is rapidly oxidized and excreted in the urine as p-carboxybenzenesulphonamide (I); up to 84% of the ambamide was so recovered. I and its 3-hydroxyderivative, also p-acetylamidomethylbenzene-sulphonamide, are excreted unchanged. p-Methylsulphonyl-benzylamine HC1 (V 335) is excreted as the benzoic acid deriv. (II). Neither I nor II has any antibacterial activity. Ambamide and V 335 may be inactivated by amine oxidase and these drugs may act by interfering with the utilization by bacteria of subtances containing aliphatic primary amino groups.