Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of mespirenone, a new aldosterone antagonist, in rat and cynomolgus monkey.

The pharmacokinetics and metabolism of mespirenone were examined in rat and cynomolgus monkey using the tritiated drug. Following i.v. administration, mespirenone exhibited a short half-life and a high plasma clearance; after oral administration the unchanged compound was not detectable. Thus, mespirenone has to be considered a pro-drug. From rat urine three metabolites were isolated by h.p.l.c. and identified by mass spectra and 1H n.m.r., all having retained the 7 alpha-sulphur substituent as a thiomethyl or a sulphinylmethyl group. The 7 alpha-thiomethyl metabolite had a half-life of six hours in rat plasma and its AUC value was 35% of that for total 3H. As this metabolite has marked anti-aldosterone activity, it is an active metabolite that contributes to the pharmacological effect of mespirenone.