PHENELZINE IN URINE: ASSAY AND RELATION TO ACETYLATOR STATUS

Abstract
1 Phenelzine cannot be extracted as such from biological fluids. 2 Formation of the acetonide derivative prior to extraction allows phenelzine to be extracted and assayed by gas chromatography at levels down to 0.5 μg/ml. 3 At this sensitivity the drug can be detected in urine but not in plasma, after therapeutic doses. 4 Persons typed as slow acetylators of sulphadimidine excreted approximately twice as much unmetabolized phenelzine in urine compared to fast acetylators.