Inhibition of antipyrine elimination by disulfiram and cimetidine: the effect of concomitant administration.

We investigated the effect of concomitantly administered disulfiram and cimetidine on antipyrine elimination. On day 1, 2, 4 and 6 of two periods of 6 days one sample antipyrine saliva clearance (APC) was measured in nine healthy volunteers. From day 2 to 6 of period I disulfiram 400 mg day-1 was administered and on day 5 and 6 cimetidine 1000 mg day-1 was added. In period II only cimetidine was given (on days 5 and 6). On day 4 of period II APC was increased 1.3 fold, probably due to self-induction by repeated antipyrine administration. Taking this into account disulfiram and cimetidine separately decreased APC 0.64 and 0.70 times, respectively. When both inhibitors were given APC was reduced 0.52 times. The results suggest that the effects of cimetidine and disulfiram on antipyrine elimination are additive.