Effect of Simultaneous Administration of Drugs on Absorption and Excretion. XV. Effect of Probenecid on Plasma Protein Binding of Sulfadimethoxine in Rabbits : The Role of N⁴-Acetylsulfadimethoxine, the Major Metabolite of Sulfadimethoxine

Abstract

The effect of probenecid on the plasma protein binding of sulfadimethoxine (SDM) was investigated in rabbits. Probenecid markedly reduced the in vivo binding of SDM to rabbit plasma proteins. On the other hand, probenecid had no effect on the in vitro binding of SDM to rabbit plasma proteins. Probenecid significantly increased N⁴-acetylsulfadimethoxine (N⁴-AcSDM) concentration in plasma after intravenous bolus injection of SDM, and prolonged the elimination half-life of N⁴-AcSDM after intravenous bolus injection of N⁴-AcSDM. In addition, N⁴-AcSDM reduced the in vitro binding of SDM to rabbit plasma proteins. These results indicate that probenecid indirectly reduces the in vivo binding of SDM to rabbit plasma proteins, by causing a significant increase of N⁴-AcSDM concentration in plasma.