MEPERIDINE METABOLITES - IDENTIFICATION OF N-HYDROXYNORMEPERIDINE AND A HYDROXY-METHOXY DERIVATIVE OF MEPERIDINE IN BIOLOGICAL-FLUIDS

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 14  (4) , 605-619
Abstract
Meperidine is a widely used synthetic analgesic agent. Gas chromatographic and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric techniques were used to identify non-acidic metabolites of meperidine (N-methyl-4-phenyl-4-carbethoxypiperidine) excreted in human, rat and guinea pig urine. Following enzymic hydrolysis N-hydroxynormeperidine was identified in the urine of all 3 species in addition to the expected metabolites normeperidine and meperidine N-oxide. In rat urine the p-hydroxyphenyl metabolite of meperidine was present in appreciable amounts. Also present in small quantity was a new phenolic metabolite of meperidine containing both hydroxyl and O-methoxyl substitutents in the phenyl ring of the parent drug. The latter 2 metabolites were excreted as conjugates in the rat.