Effects of thioridazine and diazepam on the pharmacokinetics of [14C]imipramine in rat: acute study.

The pharmacokinetics of [14C]imipramine (10 mg kg minus 1) were tested in male Wistar rats for interaction with thioridazine (16 mg kg minus 1) or diazepam (10 mg kg- minus 1). All drugs were administered orally with the test substances being given 40 min before [14C]imipramine dosing. Bile and urine were collected for 90 min after the radioactive drug was given. The animals were then killed and the tissues removed. Thioridazine reduced the excretion of radioactivity into the bile and urine, and increased the weight of the contents within the gastrointestinal tract. These effects were interpreted as being mainly due to a reduction in gastrointestinal motility resulting in a slower stomach emptying of [14C]imipramine. No effect on metabolism was detected. Diazepam pretreatment reduced the concentration ratio of radioactivity in the small intestinal contents to that of plasma, but did not alter the tissue distribution, metabolism or excretion of [14C]imipramine.