The metabolism of atropine in man.

A metabolic pattern of atropine in man, based on the detection of radiolabelled products in urine by high performance liquid chromatography after administration of [3H]atropine sulphate to a normal volunteer is proposed. Noratropine (24%), atropine-N-oxide (equatorial isomer) (15%), tropine (2%) and tropic acid (3%) appear to be the major metabolites, while 50% of the administered dose is excreted as apparently unchanged atropine. No conjugates were detectable. Evidence that atropine is present as (+)-hyoscyamine was found, suggesting that stereoselective metabolism of atropine probably occurs.