The Disposition and Metabolism of Amodiaquine in Small Mammals

Abstract

1. 7-Chloro-4-(3′-diethylamino-4′-hydroxyanilino)quinoline (amodiaquine) labelled with 14C has been synthesized and administered in single doses to rats including bile-duct-cannulated rats, to guinea-pigs and to mice, by oral or parenteral routes. 2. Amodiaquine was extensively and rapidly absorbed from the rat intestinal tract. Excretion of total radioactivity from rats and guinea pigs was slow and prolonged and was <50% dose in 9 days. Excretion of 14C was predominantly in faeces of rats after oral and i.p. dosage, and guinea-pigs after i.p. dosage. Radioactivity in rat and guinea-pig urine was <11% dose. 3. Biliary excretion of 14C following oral or i.v. dosage to rats was 21% dose in 24 h. 4. Amodiaquine was extensively metabolized and conjugated with <10% dose excreted unchanged in urine or bile. Two major basic metabolites in rat urine were tentatively identified as the mono- and bis-desethyl amines. 5. 7-Chloro-4-(4′-diethyl-1′-methylbutylamino)quinoline (chloroquine) was excreted largely unchanged in urine of rats after oral or parenteral administration of single doses, with <5% dose excreted in rat bile in 24 h.