[Metabolism of etofenamate / Identification and analytic of metabolites, their pharmacological properties and species dependence of metabolism (author's transl)].

After oral application of etofenamate to animals (rat, rabbit, dog, monkey) unchanged etofenamate and numerous metabolites are found in urine. Analytical properties (thin-layer chromatographic behavior, UV- and fluorescence data) of etofenamate, 5-hydroxy-, 4'-hydroxy, 5,4'-dihydroxy-etofenamate, flufenamic acid, 5-hydroxy-, 4'-hydroxy-, 5,4'-dihydroxy-flufenamic acid are described. Derivatives of etofenamate and flufenamic acid are excreted by rabbit, dog, monkey and man, whereas flufenamic acid derivatives are excreted preferentially by rats; profound degradation takes place in dogs. Metabolism in man is more similar to monkey than to dog and rodents. Metabolic pattern after oral and cutaneous application is quite similar. The six hydroxy derivatives have no pharmacological activity--they do not contribute to the pharmacological action of the substance.