Metabolism of triamterene in the rat.

The metabolism of 14C-triamterene (TA), 2,4,7-triamino-6-phenylpteridine, was investigated in rats. After administration of 14C-TA (2 mg/kg, sc), 45% and 50% of the total radioactivity was excreted in urine and feces, respectively, during 72 hr. 14C-TA and its metabolites were separated by paper chromatography and countercurrent distribution. Unchanged TA in the urine and feces accounted for 72-79% of the dose. The major metabolites in the excreted dose were free p-hydroxytriamterene (10-15%) and its conjugate (1-5%). Three hours after administration of the drug, the major metabolites were not found in gastrointestinal contents or urine when the bile duct was cannulated. They were formed in the liver and secreted in bile. A minor unidentified metabolite (2% of the dose) was also formed in the liver and excreted in urine and feces.