Variation of benzbromarone elimination in man--a population study.

The plasma benzbromarone concentration-time profile in a healthy subject who retained the compound much longer than other individuals is described. The data suggested that determination of the 24 h plasma concentration of the parent drug after a single oral dose of 100 mg benzbromarone would be an appropriate procedure to determine the elimination phenotype. Based on this procedure, 148 of 153 healthy individuals (97%) in a population study were found to eliminate benzbromarone rapidly. In one subject the 24 h benzbromarone plasma concentration was very similar to that observed in the individual who had been more fully characterized. Four participants gave intermediate results. The data are compatible with a bimodal or trimodal distribution of different benzbromarone elimination phenotypes.