Toxicity of alpha-phenyl-gamma-butyrolactone, a metabolite of glutethimide in human urine.

A novel metabolite, alpha-phenyl-gamma-butyrolactone, isolated from the urine of a glutethimide overdose victim, was synthesized and tested for biological activity in mice. Interperitoneal injections of this lactone caused severe toxicity at moderate dose levels. These results point to another metabolite of glutethimide contributing toxicity to patients severely intoxicated by the parent drug. An improved synthesis as well as complete spectral data of this lactone are also presented.