Pharmacokinetic pilot study with imidazole 2-hydroxybenzoate using new analytical methods.

Imidazole 2-hydroxybenzoate is a new antiphlogistic compound with analgesic and antipyretic properties undergoing clinical investigations. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate new methods for the quantitation of imidazole, salicylic acid and salicyluric acid in plasma and urine. Imidazole metabolites caused considerable methodologic difficulties in plasma and urine. They were below the detectable limit. Salicylic acid metabolites were present in plasma also under the limit of detection (0.5 microgram/ml). In urine the metabolite salicyluric acid was measured in considerable quantities, whereas gentisinic acid was under the limit of detection. Three healthy volunteers were given a single p.o. dose of 750 mg imidazole 2-hydroxybenzoate in order to examine the practicability of these new methods a well as to evaluate the pharmacokinetics. The data are presented and interpreted. Further studies in this respect are advised.