Pharmacokinetic comparison of etilefrine to its prodrug, the stearic acid ester of etilefrine.

The relative bioavailability of a prodrug of etilefrine, its stearic acid ester, was determined by means of plasma levels and renal excretion. The comparison of the plasma levels and renal excretion was carried out in a cross-over design in six subjects. 3H-etilefrine (20 mg) and 3H-2-etylamino-1-(3-stearoylphenyl)ethanol hydrochloride (44.42 mg) were administered orally in equimolecular amounts. The stearic acid ester of etilefrine does not appear in the blood; the ester is split even during absorption. The relative bioavailability of the stearic acid ester of etilefrine, which was determined from the comparison of the areas under the plasma level and the renal excretion, amounts to 51% related to etilefrine. The investigation of the renal excretory products after administration of etilefrine and its prodrug showed the same metabolic pattern. The sulfuric acid ester of etilefrine is the main metabolite. In addition to etilefrine, two basic metabolites are excreted. According to mass- and NMR-spectrometric findings, these two metabolites are two isomeric tetrahydroisoquinolines which formally developed by condensation of etilefrine with formaldehyde. These tetrahydroisoquinolines are excreted free and conjugated with sulfuric acid.