Human experience of cetiedil, a new vasodilator with anticholinergic properties.

Cetiedil, a new vasodilating drug with anticholinergic properties, was shown to be metabolised very rapidly in man after intravenous and oral administration of the 14C-compound. Higher concentrations of labelled compound after oral than after intravenous administration at the same sampling time, and proportional differences in urinary excretion, suggest that metabolic handling of the drug differs depending on the route of administration. Experiments in which inhibition of saliva secretion was measured indicated that (an) active metabolite(s) probably was (were) responsible for the action of the drug. As an anticholinergic drug, cetiedil is at least 400 times weaker than atropine.