Induction of drug metabolizing enzymes by sulfinpyrazone

Summary A previous interaction study of sulfinpyrazone (Anturano®) suggested that it induced microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes in the liver. To verify this finding the effect of sulfinpyrazone 800 mg per day for four weeks was investigated in ten healthy volunteers. Both the therapeutic actions of sulfinpyrazone, the uricosuric and the antiaggregating effects, were demonstrated (p<0.05). The influence on the microsomal drug metabolizing system in the liver was demonstrated by an increase in serum--glutamyl transpeptidase from 15.1 to 23.3 U/l (p>0.05), a significant increase in the urinary excretion of d-glucaric acid (29.6 to 77.9 µMol/24 h,p<0.05) and an increase in antipyrine clearance from 50.3 ml/min to 83.9 ml/min (p<0.05). The possibility of enhancement of drug metabolism during treatment with sulfinpyrazone in combination with other drugs should be kept in mind.