[Ionized fluorine in the plasma and urine of subjects treated with organofluorine drugs prescribed in rheumatology].

The elimination of ionized urinary fluorine was studied in groups of eight subjects treated during several days with niflumic acid, flufenamic acid, sulindac, antrafenine and floctafenine. Sulindac and floctafenine do not changes this elimination. After administration of niflumic acid, flufenamic and antrafenine, the urinary elimination of ionized fluorine increase in all the subjects. This increase is manifested from the start of treatment and persists for several days after it has been stopped. The administration of three drugs also results in an elevated level of ionized plasmic fluorine the duration of treatment. The results prove the existence in the human organism of a metabolic process capable of effecting the ionization of the organic fluor contained in the drugs studied. This biotransformation causes a fluorine impregnation of endogenous origin that is permanent and relatively stable, and whose consequences are examined (risk of fluorine osteosis and possibility of therapeutic application).