Metabolism of heptabarbitone

Abstract

The human metabolism of 5-ethyl-5-cycloheptenylbarbituric acid, heptabarbitone, Medomin, taken orally, has been studied. Comparison of g.c., and g.c.-m.s. data, from derivatized urine extracts, with data from authentic synthetic samples, has shown that 5-(3î-oxocycloheptenyl)-5-ethylbarbituric acid (II) and 5-(3î-hydroxycycloheptenyl)-5-ethylbarbituric acid (III) are major metabolites of heptabarbitone. In addition, similar data have been obtained for a third metabolite. There was no evidence for the presence of the parent drug in the urine of the two volunteers. The rate of urinary excretion of the three metabolites is briefly discussed.