Induction of drug metabolizing enzymes by sulfinpyrazone.

A previous interaction study of sulfinpyrazone (Anturano) suggested that it induced microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes in the liver. To verify this finding the effect of sulfinpyrazone 800 mg per day for four weeks was investigated in ten healthy volunteers. Both the therapeutic actions of sulfinpyrazone, the uricosuric and the antiaggregating effects, were demonstrated (p less than 0.05). The influence on the microsomal drug metabolizing system in the liver was demonstrated by an increase in serum-gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase from 15.1 to 23.3 U/l (p greater than 0.05), a significant increase in the urinary excretion of d-glucaric acid (29.6 to 77.9 microMol/24 h, p less than 0.05) and an increase in antipyrine clearance from 50.3 ml/min to 83.9 ml/min (p less than 0.05). The possibility of enhancement of drug metabolism during treatment with sulfinpyrazone in combination with other drugs should be kept in mind.